[+ 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.
▪ 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.]
▪ 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
▪ high earners on Wall Street




