unsecured

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unsecured' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It means not protected or not guaranteed against potential loss or danger. One can use the word 'unsecured' in various contexts, such as financial, legal, or physical security. For example: - The bank offers both secured and unsecured loans to its customers. - The unsecured door was easily opened by the burglar. - The company's confidential information was compromised due to their unsecured network. - The passengers were advised to buckle their seatbelts as the flight experienced some unsecured turbulence. - The government issued a warning about the potential risks of using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When he read the document which lay out the conditions of the loan in the hearing, Paul called it a "pretty silly document" because the loan was unsecured.

The Guardian

Because the information was not classified when the email was sent, no laws were violated, but Friday's redaction shows that Clinton received sensitive information on her unsecured personal server.

The Guardian

And now that the appeals court has refused to dismiss the privacy lawsuit confirming that the interception (inadvertent or otherwise) of unsecured data from people's Wi-Fi connections is not exempt from wiretapping laws the class-action against Google can proceed.

The Economist

CSFB in London, an investment bank, has a $70m unsecured loan, and UBS, a Swiss bank, in New York, one of $74m.

The Economist

Therefore, like listening to the radio or watching television, the company reasoned that intercepting data on unsecured Wi-Fi networks was also exempt from wiretapping laws.

The Economist

It already has a long list of unsecured creditors seeking repayment.

The Economist

Back in 2010, Google admitted it had collected some 600 gigabytes of "payload data" from unsecured wireless networks in more than 30 countries.

The Economist

Using the spread between secured and unsecured interbank rates as a gauge of credit risk, it believes that in the second half of 2007, credit concerns may have played a significantly larger role than in late 1999.

The Economist

A day later it said it would for the first time in its history make unsecured loans to companies, including banks, by buying commercial paper that they are unable to refinance.

The Economist

Mr Lee pleaded guilty to a single count of using an unsecured computer to download a classified document.

The Economist

This would protect the government against losses on the unsecured loans, and allow the banks to regain whatever the government collects.Some of the debts secured by collateral will be worthless.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial instruments, clarify what makes them "unsecured". For example, specify that a loan is "unsecured" because it lacks collateral.

Common error

Don't assume that because something is "unsecured", it is inherently less risky for the lender. "Unsecured" debt often carries higher interest rates to compensate for the increased risk of default.

Linguistic Context

The word "unsecured" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a lack of security, protection, or collateral. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts like "unsecured loan" or "unsecured data".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "unsecured" functions as an adjective, denoting a lack of protection or guarantee. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used term. It appears frequently in news and business contexts, often relating to finance and technology, such as "unsecured loans" or "unsecured networks". When using "unsecured", it's essential to clarify the specific context and implications of the lack of security. While seemingly straightforward, understanding the risks and potential errors associated with "unsecured" assets or connections is crucial for clear and informed communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unguaranteed

This alternative emphasizes the absence of a guarantee or warranty.

unprotected

This alternative highlights the lack of protection from harm or risk.

without collateral

Specifically for loans, this denotes the absence of assets backing the debt.

unshielded

This suggests the absence of a barrier or defense.

vulnerable

This alternative suggests susceptibility to damage or attack.

exposed

This implies being open to potential harm or danger.

susceptible

This implies being easily affected or influenced.

at risk

This alternative indicates a state of potential danger or loss.

defenseless

This alternative emphasizes the inability to defend against attack.

liable

This term refers to being legally responsible or accountable.

FAQs

How is an "unsecured" loan different from a secured loan?

An "unsecured" loan doesn't require collateral, meaning the lender can't seize specific assets if you default. Secured loans, on the other hand, are backed by collateral like a house or car.

What are examples of "unsecured" debt?

Examples of "unsecured" debt include credit card debt, personal loans, and student loans. These debts are not tied to any specific asset that the lender can claim.

What are the risks of using an "unsecured" Wi-Fi network?

Using an "unsecured" Wi-Fi network can expose your data to hackers. It's best to avoid transmitting sensitive information on public, /s/unprotected Wi-Fi networks.

What can I say instead of "unsecured"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unguaranteed", "unprotected", or "vulnerable".