earned

The word “earned” means gained through one's own effort or merit, rather than given freely. In plain terms, deserved through effort, rather than handed over for free.

“Earned” is pronounced urnd (/ɝnd/ in IPA).

Here is “earned” used in a sentence: “It was hard-earned success after years of setbacks.”

“Earned” is an adjective.

“Earned” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Something earned is gained through your own effort, work, or merit — earned respect, earned income, an earned promotion. Something given is handed over freely, without the receiver having to work for it, like a gift or a favour. The distinction is effort: earned rewards are worked for, given ones are not.

Earned means achieved through effort or merit. Unearned means received without that effort — unearned income like interest or an inheritance, or unearned praise that wasn't deserved. In everyday use, calling something unearned can sound like a criticism, suggesting a person got a reward they did not actually work for.

Earned respect from colleagues after years of hard work, an earned day off after a busy week, or earned income from a job you performed are all examples. The word highlights that the reward came through effort, skill, or good conduct — not luck, gift, or chance.

Describing something as earned signals that it is deserved and legitimate. Earned trust or an earned victory carries more weight and pride than one simply handed over, because effort and merit stand behind it. The word adds a sense of fairness — the reward genuinely matches the work put in.