What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unemployable
Example
Due to his lack of education and experience, he was deemed unemployable by most companies. [unemployable: adjective]
Example
After being fired from multiple jobs for theft, he became unemployable in the industry. [unemployable: adjective]
idle
Example
He spent his days idle on the couch, watching TV. [idle: adjective]
Example
The factory had to shut down due to the idle machinery. [idle: adjective]
Example
The project came to an idle halt due to lack of funding. [idle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Idle is more commonly used than unemployable in everyday language. Idle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unemployable is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unemployable and idle?
Both unemployable and idle are associated with a negative connotation and are typically used in informal contexts. However, unemployable may be used in more formal settings such as legal or business documents, while idle is more commonly used in casual conversation.