earnings
Earnings (noun) means Money made from work, such as wages or salary. Example: “Her weekly earnings barely covered the rent and food.”
noun
1
Money made from work, such as wages or salary.
"Her weekly earnings barely covered the rent and food."
"His earnings went up after he got the promotion."
"She saved most of her earnings each month."
2
The profit a company reports over a period.
"The company reported higher earnings after its new product sold well."
"The tech giant announced record earnings this quarter."
"Investors were disappointed by the company's weak earnings."
How to use earnings
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat someone (or a business) has made in money over some period of time.
Common pairings
annual earnings
earnings report
earnings per share
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Her weekly _____ barely covered the rent and food.
Etymology
From earn plus the plural noun ending -ings.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “earnings” mean?
The word “earnings” means money made from work, such as wages or salary. In plain terms, what someone (or a business) has made in money over some period of time.
How do you use “earnings” in a sentence?
Here is “earnings” used in a sentence: “His earnings went up after he got the promotion.”
What part of speech is “earnings”?
“Earnings” is a noun.
Is “earnings” a common word?
“Earnings” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “earnings” have?
“Earnings” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money made from work, such as wages or salary.
What is the difference between "earnings" and "income"?
Earnings usually refer to money made from work or a company's profit, while income is broader and can include earnings plus other sources such as interest, rent, dividends, or benefits. All earnings are income, but not all income counts as earnings.
What is the difference between "earnings" and "salary"?
A salary is a fixed amount paid regularly for a job, whereas earnings is a wider term covering total money made, which may include salary along with overtime, bonuses, tips, or commission. Earnings can vary even when a salary stays the same.
Is "earnings" singular or plural?
"Earnings" is a plural noun and takes a plural verb, as in "her earnings were higher this year." It has no everyday singular form, so you would not normally say "an earning."
What are common collocations with "earnings"?
Common phrases include "gross earnings," "net earnings," "earnings report," "earnings per share," and "lifetime earnings." Several of these are standard terms in business and finance.
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