First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1employ
verb em·ploy \im-ˈplȯi, em-\
: to use (something) for a particular purpose or to do something
: to use or direct (something, such as your time or effort) in order to achieve a particular goal
: to use or get the services of (someone) to do a particular job
Full Definition of EMPLOY
transitive verb
1
a : to make use of (someone or something inactive) <employ a pen for sketching> b : to use (as time) advantageously <a job that employed her skills> c (1) : to use or engage the services of (2) : to provide with a job that pays wages or a salary
2
: to devote to or direct toward a particular activity or person <employed all her energies to help the poor>
— em·ploy·er noun
See employ defined for English-language learners
See employ defined for kids
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Origin of EMPLOY
Middle English emploien, from Anglo-French empleier, emploier, emplier to entangle, apply, make use of, from Latin implicare to enfold, involve, from in- + plicare to fold — more at ply
Related to EMPLOY
Synonym Discussion of EMPLOY
use, employ, utilize mean to put into service especially to attain an end. use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end <willing to use any means to achieve her ends>. employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged <looking for better ways to employ their skills>. utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something <an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter>.
Other Business Terms
Rhymes with EMPLOY
ahoy, alloy, annoy, bad boy, ball boy, batboy, B-boy, beachboy, bellboy, bell buoy, best boy, big boy, bok choy, borzoi, boy toy, busboy, callboy, carboy, charpoy, choirboy, convoy, cowboy, decoy, deploy, destroy, doughboy, enjoy, envoy, flyboy, footboy, Hanoi, hautbois, highboy, homeboy, houseboy, killjoy, Khoikhoi, life buoy, linkboy, lowboy, McCoy, newsboy, old boy, page boy, playboy, plowboy, po'boy, postboy, potboy, Quemoy, Rob Roy, Saint Croix, Savoy, schoolboy, sepoy, stock boy, tallboy, tatsoi, teapoy, Tolstoy, tomboy, travois, viceroy
2employ
noun em·ploy \im-ˈplȯi, ˈim-ˌ, ˈem-ˌ\
Definition of EMPLOY
1
a : use, purpose b : occupation, job
2
: the state of being employed <in the city's employ>
See employ defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EMPLOY
1666
Related to EMPLOY
- Synonyms
- hire, employment, engagement
- Antonyms
- joblessness, nonemployment, unemployment
Other Business Terms
EMPLOYED Defined for Kids
1employ
verb em·ploy \im-ˈplȯi\
em·ployedem·ploy·ing
Definition of EMPLOY for Kids
1
: to give a job to : use the services of <The company employs over 500 workers.>
2
: to make use of <They employ traditional methods of farming.>
2employ
noun
Definition of EMPLOY for Kids
: the state of being hired for a job by <The gentleman is in the employ of a large bank.>
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