Unemployed means not having a job but being able and willing to work. When someone is unemployed, they're out of work and usually looking for a new position. This happens for many reasons: maybe their company closed, or they were laid off when their employer needed to cut costs, or they recently finished school and are searching for their first real job.

Being unemployed means actively wanting to work but currently lacking a job. A retired grandmother isn't unemployed because she's finished her working years. A student focusing on school isn't unemployed. But a factory worker whose plant shut down, or an accountant who lost her position and is sending out résumés, would be considered unemployed.

Economists track unemployment rates to understand how the economy is doing. When lots of people are unemployed, it means jobs are scarce and times are tough. When unemployment is low, it usually means businesses are hiring and the economy is strong.

The word can feel heavy because not having work affects more than just money: it can shake someone's confidence and sense of purpose. That's why finding new employment after being unemployed often brings such relief. Some people are unemployed for just a few weeks, while others search for months. Either way, being unemployed is usually a challenge rather than a permanent state.