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

When done right, that organic buzz creates awareness, earns media attention and introduces the brand to a new market in a memorable way. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

The show’s first two seasons earned nine Emmy nominations, including a best comedy series nod in 2025. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Andrew Kittredge earned his 10th save after allowing Bo Bichette's two-out RBI single. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Reaching the playoffs hasn't been in doubt for the Brewers, who routed the Reds to earn their eighth postseason berth in nine seasons. — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 16 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