earn

¹

[ urn ]

verb (used with object)

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

   to earn one's living.

   Synonyms: obtain, receive, make, procure

2. to merit as compensation, as for service; deserve:

   to receive more than one has earned.

3. to acquire through merit:

   to earn a reputation for honesty.

4. to gain as due return or profit:

   Savings accounts earn interest.

5. to bring about or cause deservedly:

   His fair dealing earned our confidence.

verb (used without object)

1. to gain income:

   securities that earn on a quarterly basis.

earn

²

[ urn ]

verb (used without object)

, Obsolete.

1. to grieve.

earn

/ ɜːn /

verb

1. to gain or be paid (money or other payment) in return for work or service
2. tr to acquire, merit, or deserve through behaviour or action

   he has earned a name for duplicity

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

Other Words From

• earner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of earn¹

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

Origin of earn²

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps variant of yearn

Word History and Origins

Origin of earn¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

• penny saved is a penny earned

Synonym Study

See gain ¹.

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Post

Shackelford graduated from West Potomac High School in 1992 and earned a degree in poetry four years later from East Carolina University.

From Washington Post

My job is to pump up one balloon at a time and earn as much money as possible.

From 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.

From 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.

From Search Engine Watch

The brokers then scout out potential “crew members” who can earn substantial discounts for working the journey.

From The Daily Beast

It was never intended to do anything as vulgar as actually earn money.

From The Daily Beast

“This is a job I knew I had to earn,” he said in an interview.

From The Daily Beast

If she played enough—and she planned to—she would earn them a “free” night in the hotel.

From The Daily Beast

Others earn our admiration because they belong more to a particular moment.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

He intends that he shall take the name of Arden, and earn the transmission of the title, or the distinction of a greater one.

From Project Gutenberg

They justly earn it, and are rightly pleased with it; but I cannot feel sure whether they do not depend on it too much.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquire
• bring in
• collect
• derive
• draw
• gain
• get
• make
• obtain
• pick up
• realize
• reap
• receive
• score
• secure
• win