an unsecured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unsecured" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that is not backed by collateral, such as a loan or debt. Example: "He applied for an unsecured loan to finance his new business." Alternative expressions include "a non-collateralized" and "an uncollateralized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An early passage will contain an unsecured allusion to a later work or incident.

The New York Times - Books

Assured Guaranty will be an unsecured creditor for the claim.

The New York Times

An unsecured gun is a more frightening mental image than an unsecured back door – and people react accordingly.

Independent

You know who else is an unsecured creditor?

The New York Times

It is ordinarily better to borrow on an unsecured basis, but frequently a borrower's credit rating is not strong enough to justify an unsecured loan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Creditors are becoming warier about lending on an unsecured basis when things are so uncertain.

The Economist

The court may release the accused on an unsecured promise i.e., on their own recognizance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"You're seeing them having to scramble to mitigate the effects of having an unsecured border".

The New York Times

(The pension agency routinely asserts such claims as an unsecured creditor in bankruptcies).

The New York Times

The retirees are left with an unsecured claim that is meaningless.

The New York Times

Ekasala, 34, was indicted Tuesday and remains free on an unsecured bond of $10,000.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In cybersecurity contexts, pair it with specific nouns like 'network', 'connection', or 'database' to emphasize potential vulnerabilities

Common error

Do not use 'unsecured' as a synonym for 'unstable' or 'emotionally fragile'. While a physical gate can be unsecured, a person who is feeling unsure of themselves is 'insecure'. Stick to 'unsecured' for objects, assets, and systems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unsecured" functions as a modifier consisting of an indefinite article and a past participle adjective. In Ludwig AI's dataset, it typically acts as an attributive adjective preceding a noun to define its legal, financial, or safety status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unsecured" is a vital descriptor in the modern lexicon of finance and security. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used to describe assets, debts, or digital environments that lack formal safeguards. In professional writing, it helps clarify the hierarchy of claims in bankruptcy or the vulnerability of a network. While it is synonymous with terms like "an uncollateralized" in banking, its application to physical safety—such as an unsecured weapon or gate—demonstrates its versatility. Always ensure you are modifying a noun that can logically lack protection to maintain clear and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an uncollateralized

Technically specific to finance, emphasizing the lack of assets pledged as security.

a non-collateralized

Uses a different negative prefix but retains the exact financial meaning.

a non-secured

A more literal, though slightly less common, hyphenated alternative.

an unprotected

A broader term suitable for both physical security and digital data.

an unguarded

Focuses more on physical presence or lack of surveillance.

a signature

Specifically refers to loans backed only by the borrower's promise and credit score.

an open

Commonly used in digital contexts for Wi-Fi or network access points.

an exposed

Highlights the vulnerability resulting from a lack of security.

a subordinated

Refers to debt that ranks below other loans in priority during bankruptcy.

an at-risk

Focuses on the potential consequence of being unsecured.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "an unsecured"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an uncollateralized", "an unprotected", or "an open" network.

Is "an unsecured" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. It follows the standard rule of using the article 'an' before a word starting with a vowel sound.

What is the difference between "an unsecured" and "a secured" loan?

The primary difference is collateral; "a secured" loan is backed by an asset like a house or car, whereas "an unsecured" loan is not.

How do I use "an unsecured" in a legal sentence?

In legal or bankruptcy contexts, you might write: 'The claimant was treated as "an unsecured creditor" during the reorganization process'.