unwaged
Not earning wages
Unwaged describes someone not in paid employment—whether unemployed, retired, a student, or doing unpaid domestic work.
The term appears mainly in British contexts, often regarding reduced rates or eligibility: unwaged admission, concessions for unwaged visitors.
It's a more neutral alternative to "unemployed," covering voluntary as well as involuntary situations.
Without a job
- out-of-workWithout a job
- jobseekingPursuing employment opportunities
- redundantExceeding what's needed
- laid-offTerminated from employment
workless · dismissed · furloughed · underemployed · displaced · downsized · retrenched · idle
Unpaid willing participant
- unpaidNot yet compensated
- activismDirect effort for reform
- nonprofitOrganization serving public good
- helpingSingle portion given
civic · outreach · fundraising · campaigning · mentoring · tutoring · befriending · caregiving
Domestic cleaning duties
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- childcareSupervision of young ones
- homemakingManaging domestic life
- eldercareSupport for the aged
parenting · cooking · cleaning · household · stay-at-home · nurturing · homeschooling · unremunerated
Supervised workplace learner
- apprenticeLearner bound to employer
- traineeOne being instructed
- placementPutting somewhere specific
- shadowingFollowing to observe
learning · skill-building · entry-level · mentee · hands-on · on-the-job · probationary · vocational
Payment in physical currency
- off-the-booksUnrecorded for tax purposes
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- barterDirect goods-for-goods exchange
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
undeclared · unregistered · black-market · self-sufficiency · homesteading · subsistence · non-monetary · reciprocity
unemployed
Without a job
- out-of-workWithout a job
- jobseekingPursuing employment opportunities
- redundantExceeding what's needed
laid-off · workless · dismissed · furloughed · underemployed · displaced · downsized · retrenched · idle · inactive
volunteer
Unpaid willing participant
helping · civic · outreach · fundraising · campaigning · mentoring · tutoring · befriending · caregiving · grassroots
housework
Domestic cleaning duties
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- childcareSupervision of young ones
- homemakingManaging domestic life
eldercare · parenting · cooking · cleaning · household · stay-at-home · nurturing · homeschooling · unremunerated · uncompensated
intern
Supervised workplace learner
- apprenticeLearner bound to employer
- traineeOne being instructed
- placementPutting somewhere specific
shadowing · learning · skill-building · entry-level · mentee · hands-on · on-the-job · probationary · vocational · practicum
cash-in-hand
Payment in physical currency
- off-the-booksUnrecorded for tax purposes
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- barterDirect goods-for-goods exchange
exchange · undeclared · unregistered · black-market · self-sufficiency · homesteading · subsistence · non-monetary · reciprocity
unwagedpaid
Gave money owed
remunerated · compensated · salaried · earning · commissioned
wage, wages, wager, waged, minimum wage, wagering, underpaid, living wage, wageless