earn

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈərn 

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

intransitive verb

obsolete

: grieve

Synonyms of earn

Verb (1)

• win
• gain
• reap
• garner
• make
• obtain
• get
• attain

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

Verb

Its final season earned nine Emmy nominations, including outstanding variety series and outstanding writing for a variety series. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Parton earned some of the best reviews of her career after forging another partnership — this time with good friends Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt for 1987’s multiplatinum album Trio. — Deborah Wilker, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Pawlikowski has been an Academy fave with his previous films Ida and Cold War (the latter of which earned him a Best Director nomination). — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Detroit starter Framber Valdez (8-9) gave up four runs — three earned — on eight hits in six innings. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing earn

• earn a living
• earn a/one's crust
• earn one's keep
• earn one's stripes
• earn/turn an honest penny
• win/earn one's spurs

Rhymes for earn

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• erne
• fern
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• quern
• spurn
• terne

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