underemployment
Americannoun
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inadequate or insufficient paid work.
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failure to make adequate or expected use of something.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What kind of economy is India building - one that can match rising aspirations with real opportunity, or one that leaves millions navigating underemployment and drift?
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026
Analysts at Morgan Stanley believe India will require an average GDP growth rate of 12.2 percent to truly tackle underemployment.
From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026
Some expect layoffs in early 2026 as the economy struggles to grow amid ongoing trade uncertainty and weak domestic demand, which could push the underemployment rate back above 7%, while others continue to anticipate improvement.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
Crucially, the unemployment rate rose to 4.6% from 4.4%, while the U-6 underemployment rate increased to 8.7% from 8.0%.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 5, 2026
Unemployment is officially reported at about 30%, but there is considerable underemployment.
From The 1992 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
