adjective
-
not deserved
-
not yet earned
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.