Word
unearned
Phoneticsun·earned, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈnɝnd/
UK/ʌnˈɜːnd/
Definition
adj. describing something that you have or receive without working for it. It often has a negative feeling because it suggests you did not deserve it.
adj. describing something received or possessed without having been worked for or deserved. Often carries a pejorative connotation, implying a lack of merit or effort.
Examples
“He felt guilty about his unearned success.”
“The athlete's unearned reputation for honesty was shattered when he was caught cheating during the final match.”
“Economists often debate the impact of unearned wealth on social mobility, arguing that inherited capital can create a permanent divide between those who must work for their fortune and those who do not.”
Examples
simple
“He felt guilty about his unearned success.”
contextual
“The athlete's unearned reputation for honesty was shattered when he was caught cheating during the final match.”
complex
“Economists often debate the impact of unearned wealth on social mobility, arguing that inherited capital can create a permanent divide between those who must work for their fortune and those who do not.”
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unearned