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
The tally remained 1-0 until the fifth, when the Marlins scored six unearned runs with a two-out rally off reliever Casey Lawrence (1-1).
—
Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Sophomore pitcher Tommy Hosty, who scored two runs, started and settled down on the mound after giving up two unearned runs for Marist (10-7).
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
Mejia allowed one unearned run on one hit with a K.
Colorado now returns home for a six-game homestand against the Reds and Braves, which includes the club celebrating the 30th anniversary of Coors Field in Saturday’s matinee against Cincinnati.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
He was claimed by Baltimore and pitched twice in a four-day stretch for the Orioles, giving up just one unearned run in 4 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and one walk, before the Orioles, too, needed a fresh arm and designated him for assignment.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unearned
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Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Sophomore pitcher Tommy Hosty, who scored two runs, started and settled down on the mound after giving up two unearned runs for Marist (10-7).
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
Mejia allowed one unearned run on one hit with a K.
Colorado now returns home for a six-game homestand against the Reds and Braves, which includes the club celebrating the 30th anniversary of Coors Field in Saturday’s matinee against Cincinnati.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025
He was claimed by Baltimore and pitched twice in a four-day stretch for the Orioles, giving up just one unearned run in 4 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and one walk, before the Orioles, too, needed a fresh arm and designated him for assignment.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unearned
Cite this Entry
“Unearned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unearned. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unearned
adjective
un·earned
ˌən-ˈərnd 
ˈən-
: not gained by labor, service, or skill
unearned income
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