Earn

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ɜːn/
• US enPR: ûrn, IPA: /ɝn/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)n
• Homophones: ern, erne, urn

Old English earnian

Full definition of earn

Verb

1. (transitive) To gain (success, reward, recognition) through applied effort or work.You can have the s'mores: you earned them, clearing the walkway of snow so well.
• 2011, November 12, , International friendly: England 1-0 Spain, England will not be catapulted among the favourites for Euro 2012 as a result of this win, but no victory against Spain is earned easily and it is right they take great heart from their efforts as they now prepare to play Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday.
2. (transitive) To receive payment for work.He earns seven million dollars a year as CEO.My bank account is only earning one percent interest.
3. (intransitive) To receive payment for work.Now that you are earning, you can start paying me rent.
4. (transitive) To cause (someone) to receive payment or rewardMy CD earns me six percent!
5. (transitive) To be worthy of.To earn a spot in the top 20

Synonyms

• (gain through applied effort or work) deserve, merit, garner, win
• ((transitive) receive payment for work)
• ((intransitive) receive payment for work)
• (cause someone to receive payment or reward) yield, make, generate, render

Derived terms

Anglo-Saxon irnan to run. See rennet, and compare yearnings.

Verb

1. (UK, dialect, dated) To curdle, as milk.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To long; to yearn.
• SpenserAnd ever as he rode, his heart did earn
  To prove his puissance in battle brave.
2. (obsolete) To grieve.

Noun

1. Alternative form of erne

Anagrams

• Arne, nare, near, Nera