Words / B1

im-PLOYM-uh-nt/ɪmˈplɔɪmənt/

Employment is the state of having paid work, or the work people do: find employment; in full-time employment; employment opportunities. A job is one specific post; work is more general. Unemployment is the opposite. Employ is the verb; employee / employer are the people. Employment law / contract are exam collocations. Uncountable in this meaning.

Meaning

The state of having paid work, or the work that people do.

Examples

• “He found employment in a local factory.”
• “He has been in regular employment since June.”
• “The factory provided employment for the whole town.”

Good to know

find / full-time employment. Opposite: unemployment. One post: a job. Verb: employ. Uncountable.

Near in meaning

work

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