unearned

adjective

un·​earned ˌən-ˈərnd How to pronounce unearned (audio)
1
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
2
: scored as a result of an error by the opposing team
an unearned run

Examples of unearned in a Sentence

Bank interest is regarded as unearned income.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Salvation comes instead through God’s grace, the unearned gift that saves us from ourselves. — James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 Messick, who grew up going to Rays games at the Trop, took the loss after giving up six hits and three unearned runs in five innings. — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 Messick, who grew up going to Rays games at the Trop, took the loss after giving up six hits and the three unearned runs in five innings. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 In their sentencing submission, prosecutors highlighted the novelty of the streaming fraud case, as well as the $8 million in unearned royalties Smith earned. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unearned

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unearned was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing unearned

Rhymes for unearned

See All Rhymes for unearned

Browse Nearby Words

unearmarked
unearned
unearned increment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearned. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unearned

adjective
un·​earned ˌən-ˈərnd How to pronounce unearned (audio)
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
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