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Synonyms

unearned

American  
[uhn-urnd] / ʌnˈɜrnd /

adjective

  1. not received in exchange for labor or services; not gained by lawful work or employment.

  2. not earned; unmerited; undeserved.

    unearned promotion.

  3. not yet earned.

    Lenders are not permitted to take borrowers' unearned wages as collateral.


unearned British  
/ ʌnˈɜːnd /

adjective

  1. not deserved

  2. not yet earned

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unearned

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; see origin at un- 1, earn 1, -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Unearned bravado: This can be a tell that someone simply wants to take your money, casting director Dea Vise said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2021

Unearned revenue -- which comes from multiyear contracts that isn’t recognized in the current period and indicates future sales -- was also higher than analysts projected.

From BusinessWeek • Jul. 22, 2011

Unearned revenue, a measure of future sales, was also higher than analysts projected.

From BusinessWeek • Jul. 21, 2011

Unearned revenue -- a measure of the strength of the business in Microsoft's pipeline -- fell 9.5 percent to $13.4 billion, a cause of concern to some investors.

From Reuters • Jan. 28, 2011

Unearned Increment, increase in the value of land or any property without expenditure of any kind on the part of the proprietor.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin