unearned

[ uhn-urnd ]

adjective

1. not received in exchange for labor or services; not gained by lawful work or employment.
2. not earned; earn; unmerited; undeserved:

   unearned promotion.

3. not yet earned: earn:

   Lenders are not permitted to take borrowers' unearned wages as collateral.

unearned

/ ʌnˈɜːnd /

adjective

1. not deserved
2. not yet earned

Word History and Origins

Origin of unearned¹

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; un- ¹, earn ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Unearned grades are damaging in many ways.

From Los Angeles Times

As if on cue, the Dodgers scored five unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning, waking up the comatose Paradise crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Yankees suffered an epic defensive meltdown in the top of the fifth, committing two physical errors and one mental gaffe that allowed the Dodgers to score five unearned runs and tie the score 5-5.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers were clinging to a 2-0 lead, having scored two unearned runs off Mets starter Luis Severino in the second and failed to cash in after loading the bases with one out in the third and putting runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth.

From Los Angeles Times

This overtly racist solution worked as intended, giving the South an unearned grasp on the presidency until the Civil War.

From Slate