employable

American  

[em-ploi-uh-buhl] / ɛmˈplɔɪ ə bəl /

adjective

1. able to be employed; usable.

2. capable of holding a job and available for hire.

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noun

1. a person who is able to work and is available to be hired.

Usage

What does employable mean? Employable means available and able to be hired for a job, especially for long-term employment. The verb employ means to pay someone to do work. In the most basic sense, employable means someone is available and able to be employed—to be an employee. But it’s most often used in a way that implies that a person is a desirable candidate for a job, meaning they have the skills and experience that the employer wants. The opposite of employable is unemployable, meaning unsuitable for employment. Employ can also be used as another word for the verb use, and employable can also mean able to be used. Example: If you want to appear employable, you have to have a professional-looking résumé.

Other Word Forms

• employability noun

Etymology

Origin of employable

First recorded in 1685–95; employ + -able

Example Sentences

But by last year, AI’s abilities had improved so much Paredes feared he wouldn’t be employable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The projects are intended to provide employable skills, as 90 percent of inmates will one day be released.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

Mr Evans added secondary headteachers told inspectors they would "get one applicant if they're lucky" when they advertise for maths teachers "and sometimes that person isn't employable".

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025

These are the weapons of blame-dodging consultants trying to remain employable going forward.

From Slate • Jan. 22, 2024

As an additional attraction, I noted on my spring visit that the Portland-area business community was begging piteously for fresh employable bodies.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich