I. ˈərn, ˈə̄n, ˈəin verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English ernen, from Old English earnian; akin to Old High German arnōn to reap, Old Norse önn working season, Gothic asans harvest, Old Slavic jesenĭ autumn
transitive verb
1.
a. : to receive as equitable return for work done or services rendered : have accredited to one as remuneration
b. : to come to be duly worthy of or entitled to as remuneration for work or services
he has earned his promotion, but we cannot give it to him now
c. : to bring in by way of return — used of income-producing property
money in bonds may earn less but it is more secure
this block of stocks should earn $5000 a year
2.
a. : to come to be duly worthy of or entitled or suited to by way of reward, praise, penalty, or censure
she had once earned a scolding from her nurse by filling her stockings with mud — G.B.Shaw
his wasteful heedless ways earned him the name of a spendthrift
b. : to receive as ostensibly due by way of praise or blame
c. : to obtain (as a degree or a number of credits) at an educational institution by fulfilling the requirements and meeting definite standards
d. : to play in such a way as to score (as a point or run) in a sports contest ; especially : to score (a run in baseball) without benefit or error by the opponent
intransitive verb
: to obtain income by labor or as a return on capital
so many students must now earn in order to attend school
stocks that do not earn regularly are rarely a good investment
Synonyms: see deserve
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably alteration of yearn
obsolete : to yearn or grieve
III. abbreviation
earnings