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
Some companies reported earning more from the payments than from their mining operations, Warren wrote. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Known for his ability to work across genres, Montgomery has already earned cuts with Ashley Kutcher, Jessie Murph, Tyler Halverson, Graham Barham, Jax, and Dasha. Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 Workers hamstrung by low pay at the start of their careers tend to fall behind exponentially in opportunities, earning power and retirement savings. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 Starbucks workers have now earned a victory that should inspire those in other companies and other industries. Roy Bahat, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 Nationwide, women in 2022 earned an average of 82 cents for each dollar men earned, according to data from the Pew Research Center. Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 Use your intellect and imagination when dealing with earning or handling money matters. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024 Despite earning a reputation as a fierce questioner in House hearings, the progressive has fewer endorsements than her Democratic competitors, though Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren — her former law professor at Harvard — has stood firmly behind her high-stakes bid. Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 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 19 Mar. 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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