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
Both Segel and Williams earned Emmy nominations for Season 1, which debuted in January 2023. Joe Otterson, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024 Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024 The housing complex will have 45 units available for households earning less than 80% of the area median income, 12 of which will be for households earning less than 50% of the median income, as stated in the press release. Campbell Roper, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024 Female managers and supervisors earn 83 cents on the dollar, Payscale found, but female executives’ share drops to 72 cents. Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024 The actor earned an Oscar nomination for his 2017 breakout, Call Me by Your Name, and has appeared in movies such as Little Women and The French Dispatch. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024 Well to cut through the competition and earn the top debut should be a very encouraging sign for Musgraves. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2024 The two work together for the intimidating editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, who earned an Academy Award nomination for the role. Staff Author, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024 Noteboom now will earn a base salary of $5 million and carry a cap number of $11.6 million, according to Overthecap.com. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 25 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 29 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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