unearned

[uhn-urnd]

adjective

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

2. not earned; earn; unmerited; undeserved.

   unearned promotion.

3. not yet earned: earn.

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

unearned

/ ʌnˈɜːnd /

adjective

1. not deserved

2. not yet earned

Word History and Origins

Origin of unearned¹

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

Example Sentences

Healthcare has a reputation as a defensive sector, though that’s mostly unearned: Healthcare stocks haven’t worked as defensive plays in recent years.

Read more on Barron's

It appeared they were heading for a loss in Game 5 until an error-riddled fifth inning by the Yankees allowed the Dodgers to tie the game with five unearned runs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

You balk at the $170,000 we negotiated for top delivery drivers but say nothing of the unearned millions that CEO Carol Tomé pockets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We need to tax unearned wealth as much as we tax earned income," he added.

Read more on BBC

Educated in elite schools, Garland had come to believe that unearned wealth was immoral and told the world that he planned to renounce his legacy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal