DictionaryAI

earn

SayURN/ɝn/UK/ɜːn/

Formsearns, earning, earned

7 meanings of earn

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  1. 1
    gain by effortverbtransitive
    To get something, such as praise or a punishment, because of what you did or what you are like.

    Like getting a sticker for doing a really good job.

    You earn respect by keeping your promises.

    He earned a place on the team after months of practice.

    UsageIt usually means you deserved it, good or bad. For a prize you got purely by luck, say won.

    Similarwin, get, secure

  2. 2
    paid for workverbtransitive
    To get money for doing a job, or as interest or profit from savings or a business.

    Like getting an allowance just for being part of the family.

    Most teachers earn a fixed salary each month.

    I earn fifteen dollars an hour at the grocery store.

    UsageOften earn a living, or earn an amount of money a year or an hour.

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To bring in money or a reward for someone.

    Like a tree that gives you fruit every season.

    These bonds earn you a little interest each year.

    Her clever idea earned the team a big prize.

    UsageOften earn someone something: hard work can earn you a prize.

    Similarbring

    Oppositecost

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Can you tell the meanings of earn apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–3

From Old English earnian. It came from an old word meaning "harvest."

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meaning 4

Probably either from Middle English erne ("to congeal"), a changed form of rennen ("to run; congeal"), or from earning meaning "rennet."

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • One proposed origin is Middle English erne, meaning 'to congeal'. en.wiktionary.org
  • Middle English erne is a changed form of rennen, meaning 'to run; congeal'. en.wiktionary.org
  • The alternative proposed origin is earning, meaning 'rennet'. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 5–6

A different form of the word "yearn."

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Earn, in its obsolete sense of longing or grieving, is a variant of yearn. en.wiktionary.org