Earn Definition

ûrn
earned, earning, earns
verb
earned, earning, earns
To receive (salary, wages, etc.) for one's labor or service.
Webster's New World
To get or deserve as a result of something one has done.
Webster's New World
To receive (interest, dividends, etc.) as a return.
Webster's New World

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.
Wiktionary
To be worthy of.
To earn a spot in the top 20
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
noun

Alternative form of erne.

Wiktionary
idiom
earn (one's) spurs
  • To gain a position through hard work and the accumulation of experience, often in the face of difficulties.
American Heritage

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Earn

  • earn (one's) spurs

Origin of Earn

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

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English ernen from Old English earnian

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Old English earnian

    From Wiktionary

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