Synonyms

unearned

American

[uhn-urnd] / ʌnˈɜrnd /

adjective

not received in exchange for labor or services; not gained by lawful work or employment.
not earned; unmerited; undeserved.

unearned promotion.
not yet earned.

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

unearned British

/ ʌnˈɜːnd /

adjective

not deserved
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.

See Examples For:

unearned

To be sure, there are pitfalls to plan for like the “kiddie tax,” whereby unearned income above a certain amount is taxed at the parents’ rate.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

Even though the Bobcats’ shaky defense spotted USC two unearned runs, the Trojans will surely lament stranding runners in scoring position in each of the first seven innings.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2026

By buying a flat in London in 1988, I've arguably enjoyed an unearned advantage.

From BBC ● May 17, 2026

But every once in a while, we get a little wink, an ounce of good luck, an unearned gift, a happy accident, and this recipe falls in that category.

From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2026

This unearned cash makes me feel a little bit more American.

From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023