verb

earn

URN/ɜːrn/

To gain something through work, effort, or deserving behavior.

The repairer earns payment by fixing the young customer's bicycle.

An older bicycle repairer receives payment from a young customer beside a repaired bicycle, with a few tools showing the work that earned the money.

Etymology

earnOld Englishdeserve; receive a reward for labor

Old English earnian already joined working for a reward with deserving it. That connection explains why one can earn both money through labor and recognition through effort or merit.

In context

DW Documentary13:23

been shopping or doing something else in between in addition they want to make more money and i can't stop them from working an hour extra because they want to earn a few crowns more

Thai berry pickers in Sweden | DW Documentary

More examples

He earns extra money by repairing bicycles.
You've earned a break after all that hard work.
The team's careful research earned praise from other scientists.

Forms

earn · earns · earned · earning

earnings noun — Money received as payment for work.

earner noun — A person who receives money for work.

Similar words

gain: Gain does not necessarily imply effort or deserving behavior.
win: Win often suggests success in competition rather than payment.
receive: Receive emphasizes getting something, without implying effort or merit.