earn

1 of 2

verb (1)

earned; earning; earns

transitive verb

1
a
: to receive as return for effort and especially for work done or services rendered
b
: to bring in by way of return
bonds earning 10 percent interest
2
a
: to come to be duly worthy of or entitled or suited to
she earned a promotion
b
: to make worthy of or obtain for
the suggestion earned him a promotion
earner noun

earn

2 of 2

verb (2)

earned; earning; earns

Examples of earn in a Sentence

Verb (1) during my teen years I earned pocket money by mowing lawns you've earned the afternoon off after all that hard work
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Cities are not required to assist with federal immigration law, but actively obstructing it could earn Mamdani federal charges. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025 Powell’s strategy to wait for more economic data earned the ire of President Donald Trump. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025 As far as accessories, don’t miss out on this hands-free Jw Pei Aylin Phone Crossbody Bag, which earned a spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things list. Isabel Garcia, People.com, 1 July 2025 The first film ignited to $30 million domestically and $45 million globally and became a sleeper hit for Universal and Blumhouse, ultimately earning $180 million against a $12 million budget. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for earn

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English ernen, from Old English earnian; akin to Old High German arnōn to reap, Czech jeseň autumn

Verb (2)

probably alteration of yearn

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of earn was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Earn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earn. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

earn

verb
ˈərn
1
: to get for services given
earn a good salary
2
: to deserve as a result of labor or service
earned good grades
earner noun

More from Merriam-Webster on earn

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