employed

American  

[em-ploid] / ɛmˈplɔɪd /

adjective

1. given employment, or paid work; hired, especially permanently by inclusion on a payroll.

   The comedy revolves around a beauty salon owner and her newly employed male stylist.

2. applied or used; made use of.

   In the study, drilling with flashcards was the least frequently employed strategy for language learning.

3. kept busy or engaged with some work or activity.

   I never feel usefully employed in science except when I'm actually gathering data.

4. (of time, energies, etc.) occupied; devoted to some pursuit.

   Working on my quilt gave me many happily employed hours.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of employ.

Other Word Forms

• de-employed adjective
• well-employed adjective

Etymology

Origin of employed

First recorded in 1560–70; employ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; employ ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Several others described receiving early morning emails informing them they were no longer employed and would receive one month of severance pay.

From BBC

So the Armstrong team employed a series of tests involving fancy scales and gently tipping the capsule.

From Los Angeles Times

While Universal Credit is a digital service, enforcement of its obligations has long been delivered through Jobcentres, where work coaches are employed to help people find work.

From BBC

Another strategy Desai said the theater company has employed is heavy investment in new works development, particularly new musical development.

From Los Angeles Times

In the late 1960s Bell Labs employed about 15,000 researchers, technicians and support staff; in the early 1980s, the number had grown to about 25,000.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• engaged
• hired
• occupied