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
Cuba scored in the bottom half on Yoelkis Guibert’s run-scoring groundout off winner Cal Quantrill, who allowed an unearned run and two hits over five innings.
—
Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
An error by Texas shortstop Vivi Martinez leads to an unearned run when Quincee Lilio scores after reaching on a single, but Martinez also helps turn a double play with second baseman Leighann Goode and then just beats Karley Shelton with the throw at first for the third out.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Ultimately, Franco jettisons his characters for the sake of unearned plot twists that leave the viewer feeling only icky.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
In Hawaii, another state that plans to tax the accounts, those with more than $1,000 in unearned income, such as dividends in their accounts, might owe taxes.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unearned
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Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
An error by Texas shortstop Vivi Martinez leads to an unearned run when Quincee Lilio scores after reaching on a single, but Martinez also helps turn a double play with second baseman Leighann Goode and then just beats Karley Shelton with the throw at first for the third out.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Ultimately, Franco jettisons his characters for the sake of unearned plot twists that leave the viewer feeling only icky.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
In Hawaii, another state that plans to tax the accounts, those with more than $1,000 in unearned income, such as dividends in their accounts, might owe taxes.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unearned
Cite this Entry
“Unearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearned. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unearned
adjective
un·earned
ˌən-ˈərnd 
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
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