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

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The collection is Rogers’ first since 2022’s Surrender, which started at No. 2 on the Top Alternative Albums ranking that August and has earned 141,000 equivalent album units to date. Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024 Orlando’s Filipino restaurant Kaya also earned a Green Star. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024 The debut album earned Mandisa her first Grammy nomination. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024 The 2008 film starring Freddie Highmore earned praise from audiences and critics alike for its performances and imagination. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024 Still earning 16% on average less than men, women feel the strain from a volatile economy all the more keenly. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024 But 30 years after its release, the album has finally earned its due. Earl Hopkins, SPIN, 19 Apr. 2024 Biden appointed Abruzzo in 2021, after firing Peter Robb, a Trump official who earned the wrath of many unions for seeming to favor employers over workers. Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2024 Baxter, who did not respond to interview requests, had taken the job in 2021 and quickly earned praise in the community for developing fun and engaging children’s programs. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'earn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near earn

Cite this Entry

“Earn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earn. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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