unsecured

[ uhn-si-kyoord ]

adjective

1. not secured, especially not insured against loss, as by a bond or pledge:

   an unsecured loan.

2. not made secure, as a door or lock of hair; unfastened.
3. not protected against tapping or interception, as a telephone line or radio communication.

unsecured

/ ˌʌnsɪˈkjʊəd /

adjective

1. finance
   1. (of a loan, etc) secured only against general assets and not against a specific asset
   2. (of a creditor) having no security against a specific asset and with a claim inferior to those of secure creditors
2. not made secure; loose

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsecured¹

First recorded in 1770–80; un- ¹ + secure ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Similarly a range of unsecured creditors - with potential claims of about £23,000 between them - are "highly unlikely" to see any payout.

From BBC

Several thousand car owners were eligible to vote on the plan, because they had filed claims against Fisker making them unsecured creditors.

From Los Angeles Times

A number of shareholders sent letters to the court asking for an SEC inquiry into Fisker’s dealings with the creditor, whose position as a secured lender had been opposed by unsecured creditors earlier in the bankruptcy process.

From Los Angeles Times

The deal reached with the bankruptcy court allows the firm to repay customers ahead of the other unsecured creditors such as the government.

From BBC

Investigators concluded that Eppolito took “the situation seriously” when she learned her son was suicidal and that leaving her gun unsecured was not typical for her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baggy
• lax
• relaxed
• sloppy