unoccupied

[uhn-ok-yuh-pahyd]

adjective

1. without occupants; empty; vacant.

2. not held or controlled by invading forces.

   unoccupied nations.

3. not busy or active; idle; not gainfully employed.

   an unoccupied person.

4. without inhabitants; deserted.

unoccupied

/ ʌnˈɒkjʊˌpaɪd /

adjective

1. (of a building) without occupants

2. unemployed or idle

3. (of an area or country) not overrun by foreign troops

Word History and Origins

Origin of unoccupied¹

1350–1400; Middle English; un- ¹, occupy ( def. ), -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

But HUD will not initially increase funding to the local public housing authorities that distribute assistance, so those authorities may have to offer fewer vouchers or leave units unoccupied, HUD expects.

From Salon

Officers also said the men were attempting to steal metal from the unoccupied terraced property.

From BBC

It was graphically illustrated by thousands of England fans heading for the exits well before the end, Villa Park's famous Holte End a sea of unoccupied light blue seats.

From BBC

He said the school, off Pershore Road, had been left without running water after pipework was stolen during a break-in at an unoccupied local constituency office, which affected supplies to the school.

From BBC

It burned two unoccupied RVs and threatened to jump the freeway several times, forcing officials to temporarily close all lanes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deserted 
• unfilled 
• uninhabited 
• unused 
• vacant