earn
urn
Earn (verb) means to receive money in return for work done. Example: “She earns a good salary as a software engineer.”
verb
1
To receive money in return for work done.
"Now that you are earning, you can start paying me rent."
"She earns a good salary as a software engineer."
"He earns extra money by walking his neighbours' dogs after school."
"Nurses often earn their pay through long and tiring night shifts."
2
To gain something, such as respect or a reputation, through effort or merit.
"With their hard work and dedication, they earned respect and a seat at the table."
"He earned the team's trust after years of reliable work."
"You have to earn respect; nobody simply hands it to you."
"She earned a reputation as a fair and patient teacher."
"You can have the s'mores: you earned them, clearing the walkway of snow so well."
How to use earn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get money, respect, or reward through work or effort.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "win", which usually implies a contest or chance element — you earn a salary through work, but you win a lottery through luck.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
earn a living
earn respect
earn money
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- earns
- Past tense
- earned, earnt
- Archaic forms
- earnest, earnedst, earneth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ a good salary as a software engineer.
Etymology
From Old English earnian, ultimately linked to a root meaning "harvest" — earning something was originally tied to reaping a reward.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for earn
See all rhymes for earn →Frequently asked questions
What does “earn” mean?
The word “earn” means to receive money in return for work done. In plain terms, to get money, respect, or reward through work or effort.
How do you pronounce “earn”?
“Earn” is pronounced urn (/ɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “earn” in a sentence?
Here is “earn” used in a sentence: “She earns a good salary as a software engineer.”
What part of speech is “earn”?
“Earn” is a verb.
Where does the word “earn” come from?
The word “earn” comes from Old English. From Old English earnian, ultimately linked to a root meaning "harvest" — earning something was originally tied to reaping a reward.
Is “earn” a common word?
“Earn” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “earn” have?
“Earn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to receive money in return for work done.
What is the difference between earn and win?
You earn something by working or deserving it — wages for a job, respect through good behaviour. You win something through a contest, competition, or chance, like a prize or a game. Earning implies steady effort and merit; winning implies beating others or luck. That link to deserving is why the two words are often confused.
Can you earn things other than money?
Yes. Although earn most often means being paid for work, it also applies to anything gained through effort or merit — you can earn respect, trust, a promotion, or a reputation. In every case the sense is the same: the reward is deserved through what you have done rather than given freely or by chance.
What is an example of earn in a sentence?
She earns thirty thousand pounds a year as a nurse. He earned a bonus for finishing the project early. Over time, they earned the community's trust. Each shows something received in return for work or merit, whether that reward is wages, a bonus, or intangible respect that has to be won by effort.
What is the opposite of earn?
The opposite depends on the meaning. When earn refers to being paid, opposites include spend, lose, or owe. When it means to deserve something through effort, the contrast is receiving it freely or unfairly — to inherit, be given, or take without deserving. Both share the idea of a reward that was not worked for.
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