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earn

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To earn is defined as to gain something through effort or work.

(verb)

An example of to earn is to be paid five dollars for washing a car.
An example of to earn is to get a promotion for being very good at your job.
An example of to earn is to take a vacation after completing a difficult and time-consuming project.

See earn in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to receive (salary, wages, etc.) for one's labor or service
to get or deserve as a result of something one has done
to gain (interest, etc.) as profit

Origin: ME ernen < OE earnian, to gain, labor for, lit., to harvest, akin to Ger ernte, harvest, OHG arnōn, to bring to harvest < IE base *es-en, summer, harvest time

Related Forms:

earner noun

See earn in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb earned, earn·ing, earns

To gain especially for the performance of service, labor, or work: earned money by mowing lawns.
To acquire or deserve as a result of effort or action: She earned a reputation as a hard worker.
To yield as return or profit: a savings account that earns interest on deposited funds.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English ernen

Origin: , from Old English earnian

Related Forms: