unpaid

adjective

un·​paid ˌən-ˈpād 

1

: not paid

an unpaid volunteer

2

: not paying a salary

an unpaid position

Synonyms of unpaid

• outstanding
• owed
• payable

Examples of unpaid in a Sentence

I have a pile of unpaid bills sitting on my desk.

The city is trying to collect unpaid taxes.

She took three months of unpaid leave from her job.

I served as an unpaid consultant on the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

Taxpayers seeking abatement of unpaid penalties or interest may still use Form 843, but the electronic filing option appears limited to claims involving amounts already paid. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

But the development stalled, spawning lawsuits and disputes over $20 million in unpaid work. — Carolyn Komatsoulis updated July 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 July 2026

Music producer Jermaine Dupri is suing Sony for $18 million in alleged unpaid royalties. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Another store at a Charlotte-area mall is facing eviction, with court documents claiming over $100,000 in unpaid rent. — Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unpaid

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

unpaid

adjective

un·​paid ˌən-ˈpād 

1

: not paid

an unpaid volunteer

2

: not paying a salary

an unpaid position