unpaid

British  

/ ʌnˈpeɪd /

adjective

1. (of a bill, debt, etc) not yet paid

2. working without pay

3. having wages outstanding

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Explanation

If a job is unpaid, that means you do it without receiving any money in return. Your unpaid internship at the town newspaper will give you lots of experience, but no income. An unpaid worker hasn't received their paycheck yet, and an unpaid bill means you haven't sent the money you owe to the electric company or dog walker. This adjective is also useful for describing volunteer work, like an unpaid position at the local animal shelter. Unpaid was first coined in the 14th century, from un-, "not," and pay, which has a Latin root meaning "satisfy a creditor," or literally "make peace."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unpaid

The sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, or MONOSAR, is a nonprofit organization made up of unpaid community members who volunteer their time and often their own equipment to perform rescues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

She had to take on a three-month unpaid internship in a classroom and several thousand dollars in fees for her certification.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026

Benzies set up Barb in 2016 - the same year he left Grand Theft Auto maker Rockstar Games after a legal row over unpaid royalties.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

The homes of former overachievers can pile up with garbage and unpaid bills.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

And she blows her nose loudly in her cross-stitched handkerchief, freshly washed and ironed by me, the unpaid servant, sitting on the floor below her.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau

Related Words

• delinquent
• outstanding
• overdue