earn

1
[ urn ]
/ ɜrn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR earn 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.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
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Origin of earn

1
before 900; Middle English ern(i)en, Old English earnian; akin to Old High German arnēn to earn, harvest

OTHER WORDS FROM earn

earn·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH earn

earn urn

Words nearby earn

early wood, early-type star, early-warning system, earmark, earmuff, earn, earn one's keep, earn one's stripes, earned income, earned run, earned run average

Definition for earning (2 of 2)

earn2
[ urn ]
/ ɜrn /

verb (used without object) Obsolete.

to grieve.

Origin of earn

2
First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps variant of yearn
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to earning

draw, derive, secure, get, receive, win, make, acquire, obtain, collect, score, gain, reap, realize, gross, perform, rate, pull, profit, clear

Example sentences from the Web for earning

British Dictionary definitions for earning

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

Idioms and Phrases with earning

earn
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.