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

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

His vehicle was found unoccupied in the 23000 block of Calabasas Road, and deputies warned that Rogers could still be in the area.

From Los Angeles Times

Initial remedial work on the unoccupied floors of the hospital building should begin in December.

From Los Angeles Times

After, oops, shooting his dad, the younger Morgan fled to NYC, where he’s working at the Empire Hotel in the day and squatting in unoccupied rooms at night.

From Salon

Related Words

• deserted 
• unfilled 
• uninhabited 
• unused 
• vacant