earn
Pronounced:
/ˈɚn/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
earns; earned; earn·ingMeaning:
[+ obj] 1 : to get (money, a salary, etc.) for work that you have done ▪ She earns a good salary. ▪ I need to earn some money. ▪ He will do anything to earn his keep. [=to earn what is needed to support himself] ▪ She's just trying to earn a living. [=to earn the money needed for food, clothing, etc.]
2 a : to deserve or get (something) because of something you have done ▪ He earned a promotion through hard work. ▪ The team has earned [=gained] a reputation for poor sportsmanship. ▪ She needs to earn [=gain, win] their trust/respect. b : to make (someone) worthy or deserving of (something) ▪ His hard work earned [=gained] him a promotion. ▪ Her honesty earned [=gained, won] her their trust/respect.
2 a : to deserve or get (something) because of something you have done ▪ He earned a promotion through hard work. ▪ The team has earned [=gained] a reputation for poor sportsmanship. ▪ She needs to earn [=gain, win] their trust/respect. b : to make (someone) worthy or deserving of (something) ▪ His hard work earned [=gained] him a promotion. ▪ Her honesty earned [=gained, won] her their trust/respect.
earn a/your crust —see crust
earn your spurs —see 1spur
earn your stripes —see 1stripe
—earn·er noun plural earn·ers [count] ▪ high earners on Wall Street