earn

¹earn

transitive verb \ˈərn\

Definition of EARN

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>

— earn·er noun

Origin of EARN

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

Rhymes with EARN

Bern, burn, churn, erne, fern, kern, learn, pirn, quern, spurn, stern, tern, terne, turn, urn, yearn

²earn

intransitive verb

Definition of EARN

obsolete

:  grieve

Origin of EARN

probably alteration of yearn

First Known Use: 1599