unearned

adjective

un·​earned ˌən-ˈərnd How to pronounce unearned (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Phillies closer Jhoan Duran (2-4) threw a scoreless ninth and gave up an unearned run in the 10th as Philadelphia won for the 12th time in 14 games. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Milwaukee took the lead for good by scoring three unearned runs in the third. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 His two young children own stakes in three private golf clubs in Ohio, which resulted in more than $2 million in unearned income for them last year. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026 Stock went 4 1/3 innings, giving up only one unearned run on three hits, and struck out five. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unearned

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unearned was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing unearned

Rhymes for unearned

See All Rhymes for unearned

Browse Nearby Words

unearmarked
unearned
unearned increment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearned. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unearned

adjective
un·​earned ˌən-ˈərnd How to pronounce unearned (audio)
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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