Definition

Not yet fully owned or secured, often referring to rights or benefits that are still subject to conditions.

Example

The employee's unvested stock options will become available after three years of service.

Conversation

I just learned that my retirement funds have a lot of unvested amounts.

Really? I thought everything was fully vested after a certain time.

Not always, I guess. Some parts can remain unvested until specific conditions are met.

That makes sense. I need to check mine to see how it all works.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unvested → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "vested" (from Latin "vestire", meaning to clothe or to invest). The word "unvested" means not clothed or not invested, often referring to rights or benefits that have not yet been granted or secured.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') having 'invested' rights or benefits — that's why unvested means those rights are not yet secured.

Visually Confused Words