earn

1 of 2

verb (1)

earned; earning; earns
Synonyms of earnnext

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
Lewis recruit Jake Matise worked a perfect final 1 1/3 innings to earn the save for Mount Carmel (22-10, 10-4). Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 The tour supports her 2025 album Tropicoqueta, which earned three AMA nominations this year, including Best Latin Album. Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 Participants can also earn money for taking part, roughly the equivalent of the cost of a July electric bill, according to the company. Kiki Sideris, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 If average worker compensation had kept pace with the explosive growth of CEO pay since 1968, the average worker would earn approximately $432 per hour today, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026 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 18 May. 2026.

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

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