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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

worklessness en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English workless Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English worklessness From workless + -ness.

Meanings

  1. (UK, uncountable) The state of being without paid work.
    • The majority come from circumstances where worklessness is embedded, and placements need to incorporate some element of mentoring if these individuals are to develop the life skills necessary to sustain a career. 2009 January 16, Libby Brooks, “Generation Crunch need more than just McJobs”, in The Guardian:

Synonyms

unemployment · unwork · joblessness