underemployment

noun

un·​der·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-dər-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce underemployment (audio)
1
: the condition in which people in a labor force are employed at less than full-time or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to their training or economic needs
2
: the condition of being underemployed

Examples of underemployment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Students must sign up by October 6 to gain crucial skills and combat underemployment. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025 This reflects a higher-than-normal unemployment or underemployment rate among recent graduates, with graduate unemployment figures hovering at around 5 percent in mid-2025, according to NBC News. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 For instance, in a competitive, uncertain job market, young men may struggle with financial insecurity, underemployment, and lack of purpose, says Pain. Sherri Gordon, Parents, 29 July 2025 The country's relatively young population - more than 60% are under 30 years old - have been hit particularly hard by high unemployment and underemployment. Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for underemployment

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underemployment was in 1909

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Cite this Entry

“Underemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underemployment. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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