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

The lineup spotlights more than 25 Singapore productions and co-productions that have earned recognition at festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice and Melbourne. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

The Gators outlasted Auburn 44-39, clearing a crucial hurdle for Sumrall in earning his first SEC victory at the helm. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Born in the Bronx on May 24, 1941, Reisberg attended high school in Long Beach on Long Island, then earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his law degree — taking classes at night — from Fordham University. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

The California outpost is a naturally strategic move for a brand that has earned celebrities’ increasing attention over the years. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 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