earn
1 Americanverb (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)
verb (used without object)
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 action
he has earned a name for duplicity
-
(tr) (of securities, investments, etc) to gain (interest, return, profit, etc)
Related Words
See gain 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
Explanation
When you earn something, you gain it as a result of your actions. You can earn your friend's gratitude by rescuing her pet kitten from a tree. Earning has to do with things people get through their own efforts or behavior. A good friend earns your trust. A dishonest coworker might earn a reputation as a liar. This word is also used in financial contexts. If someone asks how much you earned last year, they're asking how much money you made at your job.
Vocabulary lists containing earn
Michelle Obama's final address as First Lady (2017)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Workshop 1, Part 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Bronx Masquerade
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’m single, 47 and earn $260K a year.
From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026
In two weeks, Villa may need another banner if they win in Turkey, which would also earn a Champions League return regardless of whether they finish in the Premier League's top five.
From BBC • May 7, 2026
The results were bolstered by Lyft’s partnerships with companies like DoorDash, United Airlines and Chase, which allow users to earn rewards points for partners’ loyalty programs with Lyft rides.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
Consensus calls for MercadoLibre to earn $8.52 a share in the quarter, a slight year-over-year decline.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
Eventually he was able to earn enough money to purchase the freedom of some of his children and their descendants.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
