earn

[ urn ]

/ ɜrn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: earn / earned / earning on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to gain or get in return for one's labor or service: to earn one's living.

to merit as compensation, as for service; deserve: to receive more than one has earned.

to acquire through merit: to earn a reputation for honesty.

to gain as due return or profit: Savings accounts earn interest.

to bring about or cause deservedly: His fair dealing earned our confidence.

verb (used without object)

to gain income: securities that earn on a quarterly basis.

OTHER WORDS FOR earn

1 procure, make, receive, obtain.

See synonyms for earn on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of earn

First recorded before 900; Middle English ern(i)en Old English earnian; akin to Old High German arnēn “to earn, harvest”

synonym study for earn

1. See gain¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM earn

earner, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH earn

earn , urn

Words nearby earn

early-warning system, early wood, earmark, ear-minded, earmuff, earn, earned income, earned run, earned run average, earner, earnest

Other definitions for earn (2 of 2)

earn²

[ urn ]

/ ɜrn /

verb (used without object) Obsolete.

to grieve.

Origin of earn

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps variant ofyearn

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use earn in a sentence

Since that day, I have tried to do everything in my power to work and earn your respect and try and make you proud on and off the field.
J.J. Watt will be released by Houston Texans at his request|Mark Maske|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Shackelford graduated from West Potomac High School in 1992 and earned a degree in poetry four years later from East Carolina University.
Tiffany Shackelford, 46, was known as a unique, fun ‘force’ to friends, family|Dana Hedgpeth|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
My job is to pump up one balloon at a time and earn as much money as possible.
Auditors are testing hiring algorithms for bias, but there’s no easy fix|Amy Nordrum|February 11, 2021|MIT Technology Review
France has earned the most Academy Award nominations for best international feature film and classics like Amélie, The Artist, or The Intouchables have turned into mainstream hits.
Netflix is ushering in a golden age of French TV|Annabelle Timsit|February 10, 2021|Quartz

For instance, if an established website like Forbes links to a value-added blog you wrote a few months ago, you’ll earn a high-quality backlink.
A small business’ step-by-step guide to dominating local search in 2021|Joseph Dyson|February 10, 2021|Search Engine Watch
The brokers then scout out potential “crew members” who can earn substantial discounts for working the journey.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It was never intended to do anything as vulgar as actually earn money.
The Bookstore That Bewitched Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and Greta Garbo|Felice Picano|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“This is a job I knew I had to earn,” he said in an interview.
Two Texas Regulators Tried to Enforce the Rules. They Were Fired.|David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If she played enough—and she planned to—she would earn them a “free” night in the hotel.
I Watched a Casino Kill Itself: The Awful Last Nights of Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal|Olivia Nuzzi|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Others earn our admiration because they belong more to a particular moment.
Renaissance Man Jared Leto Defies Categorization|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Twenty dollars a month is the salary, and school keeps for six months, so I shall earn the large sum of $120 a year.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Robert is very well in a way, to give up all the money he can earn to the family, and keep the barest pittance for himself.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Every man will still earn his own living and that of his family as best he can, relying first and foremost upon his own efforts.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
He intends that he shall take the name of Arden, and earn the transmission of the title, or the distinction of a greater one.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
They justly earn it, and are rightly pleased with it; but I cannot feel sure whether they do not depend on it too much.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for earn

earn

/ (ɜːn) /

verb

to gain or be paid (money or other payment) in return for work or service

(tr) to acquire, merit, or deserve through behaviour or actionhe has earned a name for duplicity

(tr) (of securities, investments, etc) to gain (interest, return, profit, etc)

Word Origin for earn

Old English earnian; related to Old High German arnēn to reap, Old Saxon asna salary, tithe

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with earn

earn

In addition to the idioms beginning with earn

earn one's keep
earn one's stripes

also see:

penny saved is a penny earned

earn

OTHER WORDS FOR earn

Origin of earn

synonym study for earn

OTHER WORDS FROM earn

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH earn

Words nearby earn

Other definitions for earn (2 of 2)

Origin of earn

Words related to earn

How to use earn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for earn

Word Origin for earn

Other Idioms and Phrases with earn