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.

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 earn (2 of 2)

earn 2
[ urn ]
/ ɜrn /

verb (used without object) Obsolete.

to grieve.

Origin of earn

2
First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps variant of yearn

Words related to earn

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 earn

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 action he 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

Idioms and Phrases with earn

earn