# unearned

/əˈnɝnd/ (US) · /ʌnˈɜːnd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unearned
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.