unoccupied
gb/ʌnˈɑkjəpˌaɪd/ us/ʌnˈɑkjəpˌaɪd/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
empty and available to use
Empty and ready for someone to use.
Usage pattern:
an unoccupied [seat/room/table/space]; [place] is unoccupied
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse unoccupied where vacant or empty is more natural in casual speech (e.g., an empty seat).
Synonyms
empty (More general and more common in everyday speech.)
|
vacant (Often used for rooms, buildings, land, or jobs; slightly more formal.)
|
available (Emphasizes that it can be used, not only that it is empty.)
Antonyms
occupied (Being used or filled by someone or something.)
|
taken (Often used for seats or reservations.)
Collocations
unoccupied seat
|unoccupied room
|unoccupied table
|unoccupied space
|unoccupied parking space
|unoccupied bed
|unoccupied classroom
|unoccupied office
|unoccupied chair
|remain unoccupied
Themes
daily_life
|travel
|housing
Examples
- There were several unoccupied seats near the front.
- The meeting room stayed unoccupied all afternoon.
- Please leave the emergency exit area unoccupied.
Learner examples
- This seat is unoccupied.
- Is the room unoccupied now?
adjective
formal
C1
state
2
not busy; free to do something
Not busy; having nothing to do.
Usage pattern:
be unoccupied; keep [someone] unoccupied; unoccupied with [something]
Common mistake:
In casual conversation, speakers usually say free, not busy, or idle rather than unoccupied for people.
Synonyms
idle (Often suggests doing nothing when you could be working.)
|
free (Most common everyday synonym; focuses on availability.)
|
unengaged (More formal; emphasizes not being involved.)
Antonyms
busy (Having many tasks or activities.)
|
engaged (Occupied with an activity or commitment.)
Collocations
remain unoccupied
|keep yourself unoccupied
|unoccupied time
|sit unoccupied
|left unoccupied
|unoccupied with work
|unoccupied with other matters
Themes
daily_life
|work
|time_management
Examples
- He sat unoccupied, waiting for the results to come in.
- Try not to leave children unoccupied for too long.
- She seemed unoccupied with anything except her phone.
Learner examples
- I am not unoccupied today; I am busy.
adjective
B2
property
3
not lived in; without residents
No one is living there now.
Usage pattern:
an unoccupied [house/building/property]; [building] is unoccupied
Common mistake:
Unoccupied usually means temporarily empty; uninhabited often suggests a place is not suitable for living or has no permanent residents.
Synonyms
vacant (Very common for buildings or properties offered for rent/sale.)
|
empty (Everyday word; may not explicitly imply a home/property.)
|
uninhabited (Often broader and more permanent, especially for places like islands.)
Antonyms
occupied (People are living in it or using it.)
|
inhabited (People live there.)
Collocations
unoccupied house
|unoccupied building
|unoccupied property
|unoccupied flat
|unoccupied apartment
|leave a home unoccupied
|unoccupied for months
|temporarily unoccupied
Themes
housing
|society
|law
Examples
- The house was unoccupied while the owners were abroad.
- Police checked the unoccupied building after reports of a break-in.
- Insurance costs can be higher for an unoccupied property.
Learner examples
- The apartment is unoccupied right now.
adjective
formal
C1
relation
4
not filled; job or role available
A job or position that no one has yet.
Usage pattern:
an unoccupied [position/post/role]
Common mistake:
For jobs, vacant is far more common than unoccupied in everyday business English.
Synonyms
vacant (The standard word for jobs and official positions.)
|
unfilled (Directly emphasizes that hiring has not happened yet.)
Antonyms
filled (Someone has taken the position.)
|
staffed (Emphasizes that workers are in place.)
Collocations
unoccupied position
|unoccupied post
|unoccupied role
|remain unoccupied
|leave the post unoccupied
|fill an unoccupied position
Themes
work
|business
|education
Examples
- The director’s position remained unoccupied for nearly a year.
- Several posts are currently unoccupied due to budget cuts.
- They decided to leave the role unoccupied until the reorganization was complete.
Learner examples
- The position is unoccupied.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unoccupied
IPA
GB/ʌnˈɑkjəpˌaɪd/
US/ʌnˈɑkjəpˌaɪd/
Syllables & stress
un - oc - cu - pied (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (oc)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unoccupied
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.