unearned

adjective un·earned \ ˌən-ˈərnd \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of unearned

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

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Examples of unearned in a Sentence

Bank interest is regarded as unearned income.

Recent Examples of unearned from the Web

Cobras starter Zach Mendiguren gave up just two unearned runs but labored through 3 2/3 innings.

— david furones, Sun-Sentinel.com, "American Heritage tops Park Vista in Broward-Palm showdown," 12 Apr. 2018
The Rebels committed four errors that directly led to three unearned runs.

— andrew j. campa, latimes.com, "Errors doom Flintridge Prep softball," 12 Apr. 2018
The Rangers then gave up two unearned runs in the ninth, courtesy of third baseman Adrian Beltre's second error of the series.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Moore shows better in latest Rangers loss, but Andrus has fracture in elbow | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 11 Apr. 2018
Four other Tulane relievers allowed no unearned runs over the final five innings.

— christopher dabe, NOLA.com, "Tulane avoids series sweep with walk-off win against UNO," 10 Apr. 2018
Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox Lopez was excellent again in his second start of the season, allowing one unearned run in seven innings against the Tigers.

— michael beller, SI.com, "The Table Setter: Taking a Break from Shohei Ohtani Appreciation Week to Appreciate Bryce Harper," 9 Apr. 2018
The heady base running complemented the team’s stellar pitching, with starter Steven Matz allowing only an unearned run over five innings while striking out eight batters, and closer Jeurys Familia doing yeoman’s work with a five-out save.

— james wagner, New York Times, "Mets May Be Lacking in Speed, but They’re Off to a Very Fast Start," 7 Apr. 2018
Mets starter Steven Matz went five innings and allowed one unearned run and three hits.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Mets Win 4th Straight, Send Harper, Nationals To 4th Loss In Row," 7 Apr. 2018
Patterson Mill 16, Fallston 1: Winning pitcher Dakota Pitts went five innings, gave up one unearned run on three hits, walked one and struck out nine as the Huskies (3-0) beat the Cougars (1-4).

— baltimoresun.com, "Varsity roundup (April 5): Archbishop Spalding picks up baseball victory," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unearned.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unearned

13th century

UNEARNED Defined for English Language Learners

unearned

adjective

Definition of unearned for English Language Learners

: not earned by working

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unearned

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