adjective
Uncommon
unpaid
uhn-PAYD
Unpaid (adjective) means not yet paid. Example: “The invoice remained unpaid two months after the due date.”
adjective
1
Not yet paid.
"A growing number of U.S. cities are alerting residents to a widespread phishing scam involving fraudulent text messages about unpaid parking violations."
— Sunny Yadav, US Cities Warn of Surge in Unpaid Parking Phishing Text Scams (2025)
"The invoice remained unpaid two months after the due date."
"Unpaid parking fines can lead to extra charges if you ignore them."
"Several unpaid bills were waiting on the kitchen table when we got home."
2
Done without receiving money in return, often voluntarily.
"She spent her summer doing unpaid work at the animal shelter."
"Many parents do unpaid jobs at the school fair every year."
"He took an unpaid internship to gain experience in publishing."
How to use unpaid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot paid for — either a bill that hasn't been settled, or work done for free.
Common pairings
unpaid bill
unpaid internship
unpaid leave
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The invoice remained _____ two months after the due date.
Etymology
From un- + paid.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for unpaid
See all rhymes for unpaid →Frequently asked questions
What does “unpaid” mean?
The word “unpaid” means not yet paid. In plain terms, not paid for — either a bill that hasn't been settled, or work done for free.
How do you pronounce “unpaid”?
“Unpaid” is pronounced uhn-PAYD (/ʌnˈpeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “unpaid” in a sentence?
Here is “unpaid” used in a sentence: “The invoice remained unpaid two months after the due date.”
What part of speech is “unpaid”?
“Unpaid” is an adjective.
Is “unpaid” a common word?
“Unpaid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “unpaid” have?
“Unpaid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not yet paid.
What is the difference between unpaid and overdue?
Unpaid simply means a bill, debt, or amount has not yet been paid, without implying it is late. Overdue specifically means a payment has passed its due date. An unpaid invoice only becomes overdue once the payment deadline has been missed.
What does unpaid mean when describing work?
When describing work, unpaid means it is done without receiving money in return, often voluntarily, such as unpaid internships or unpaid overtime. This contrasts with paid work, where compensation is provided for the time or labor.
What is the difference between unpaid leave and paid leave?
Unpaid leave means an employee takes time off work without receiving their regular salary during that period. Paid leave means the employee continues to receive pay while away from work, such as during holidays or sick leave covered by an employer.
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