unearned

adjective

un·​earned ˌən-ˈərnd 

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

To account for the risk of collecting on unearned revenue, funders typically apply a factor rate to determine the total amount to be collected under the agreement. — Nathan Mor, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

In the second inning, Cleveland scored four unearned runs after Witt made an uncharacteristic error at shortstop. — Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Up next The Phillies snapped their 21-inning scoreless streak on an unearned run in the seventh. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

The Phillies snapped their 21-inning scoreless streak on an unearned run in the seventh. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unearned

• unearned increment

Rhymes for unearned

• overturned
• unconcerned
• adjourned
• concerned
• discerned
• interned
• returned
• sunburned
• unburned
• unlearned
• unturned
• upturned

Kids Definition

unearned

adjective

un·​earned ˌən-ˈərnd 

ˈən-

: not gained by labor, service, or skill

unearned income