earn
1
[ urn ]
/ ɜrn /
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, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH earn
earn urnWords nearby earn
Definition for earning (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
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 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 earning
earn