earn

earn · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To receive money in return for labor or services.

  2. 2.

    To gain or deserve through effort, behavior, or qualities.

  3. 3.

    (Of capital invested) To produce income or profit.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Earn one's keep — To work in return for food and lodging.
  • •
    Earn one's stripes — To prove one's abilities or worth.
  • •
    A penny saved is a penny earned — Saving money is as valuable as earning it.

Related words

Antonyms: lose, spend
See also: earned, earning, earnings, income
Synonyms: acquire, gain, make, obtain

Etymology

From Old English earnian meaning "to labor for, to earn," from Proto-Germanic aznōną meaning "to do harvest work." Related to German ernten meaning "to harvest."