earn

UK: /ˈɜː^rn/ US: /ɝn/ ,(ûrn)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

earn¹ /ɜrn/   v. [~ + object]

1. to receive in return for one's labor or service:
   to earn a living as a waiter.
2. to deserve;
   to merit (something) as a reward for service:
   He had earned a reputation for honesty.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

earn¹  (ûrn), v.t. 

1. to gain or get in return for one's labor or service:
   to earn one's living.
2. to merit as compensation, as for service;
   deserve:
   to receive more than one has earned.
3. to acquire through merit:
   to earn a reputation for honesty.
4. to gain as due return or profit:
   Savings accounts earn interest.
5. to bring about or cause deservedly:
   His fair dealing earned our confidence.

v.i. 

6. to gain income:
   securities that earn on a quarterly basis.

• bef. 900; Middle English ern(i)en, Old English earnian; akin to Old High German arnēn to earn, harvest

earn′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. procure, make, receive, obtain. See gain ¹.

earn²  (ûrn), v.i. [Obs.]

1. to grieve.

• perh. variant of yearn 1570–80

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

earn / ɜːn/ verb (earns, earning, earned, earnt)

1. to gain or be paid (money or other payment) in return for work or service
2. (transitive) to acquire, merit, or deserve through behaviour or action
3. (transitive) (of securities, investments, etc) to gain (interest, return, profit, etc)

Etymology: Old English earnian; related to Old High German arnēn to reap, Old Saxon asna salary, tithe