unsecured

unsecured — adjective

1. describing a loan or debt that a bank or other lender provides without requiring

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing a loan or debt that a bank or other lender provides without requiring the borrower to put up any valuable item or property as a guarantee that the money will be paid back

Example

Hyun took out an unsecured loan from the city bank to open her small bakery.

collocation: 'unsecured loan'

Asher's credit card debt was unsecured, so the company could not take his house.

Common collocations
  • unsecured loan
  • unsecured debt
  • unsecured credit
  • unsecured borrowing
  • unsecured line of credit
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • secured

    the standard opposite, describing a loan backed by collateral

Grammar Patterns

unsecured + noun (loan, debt, credit)

be + unsecured

Usage Note

The subject is usually the loan, debt, or credit itself, not the borrower. For example, say 'an unsecured loan' not 'an unsecured borrower'.

Common Mistakes

The borrower was unsecured by the bank.
The loan that the borrower received was unsecured.
'unsecured' describes the debt arrangement, not the person.

2. not firmly attached, closed, or locked; not protected from danger, risk, or unwa

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

not firmly attached, closed, or locked; not protected from danger, risk, or unwanted access

Example

Constanza saw the ladder was unsecured against the wall and asked a coworker to hold it.

pattern: linking verb + unsecured

Anong reported that the back door was unsecured and quickly turned the lock.

Common collocations
  • unsecured door
  • unsecured window
  • unsecured load
  • unsecured box
  • unsecured ladder
Synonyms
  • loose

    more common for physical objects that are not firmly attached

  • unlocked

    specifically about doors, windows, or containers not secured by a lock

  • unfastened

    describes something not closed or tied shut

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be + unsecured

feel/look + unsecured

leave something + unsecured

Usage Note

In this sense, 'unsecured' is often used with verbs of perception (feel, look, seem) or with 'leave' to describe a state of incomplete fastening or protection.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Unsecured' is the standard everyday term for loans or debt not backed by assets — banks advertise 'unsecured personal loans' and credit cards are typically unsecured. 'Unguaranteed' is much less common and carries a slightly more formal tone, often appearing in legal documents or financial regulations rather than in ordinary banking conversations. 'Uncollateralized' is a technical term used mainly by finance professionals; a general learner would rarely encounter it outside a textbook or a corporate lending document. For everyday use, 'unsecured' is the natural choice — for example, a borrower would say 'I need an unsecured loan for my renovation' not 'I need an uncollateralized loan'.

unguaranteedunsecured ↗uncollateralized

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • line of credit
  • personal loan

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to 'secured', the past participle of the verb 'secure'. 'Secure' itself comes from Latin 'securus', meaning 'free from care' (from 'se-' meaning 'without' plus 'cura' meaning 'care'). The financial meaning of 'secured' — backed by property as a guarantee — developed in the 18th century, and 'unsecured' arose soon after as its opposite.