A2verb 1K

Earn

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɜːn/","/ɜːnz/","/ɜːnd/","/ˈɜːnɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɜːrn/","/ɜːrnz/","/ɜːrnd/","/ˈɜːrnɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Earn

to get money for work that you do

In simple words: To get money for work or services.

Earn in a sentence

• She works hard to earn a good salary.
• You can earn points by completing the challenges.
• He hopes to earn respect from his peers.
• They want to earn a medal in the competition.
• With his job, he can earn extra money on weekends.

How to use Earn

Use 'earn' to talk about getting money from a job, prize, or investment. It is not used in informal contexts like 'make money' or 'score cash'.

Grammar pattern

earn + object

Memory hint

Think of 'earn' as 'earnings' — money you make for your efforts.

Related words

Collocations with Earn

• consistently
• reportedly
• reputedly
• have to
• need to
• expect to
• from
• a/​the chance to earn something
• a/​the opportunity to earn something
• earn a living as something
• really
• richly
• rightfully
• have to
• need to
• seek to

Synonyms for Earn

• receive
• gain
• acquire
• obtain
• make

Opposites of Earn

• spend
• lose
• waste

Common mistakes with Earn

• 'Earn' is often confused with 'win' — winning is usually associated with luck or competitions.
• Learners might incorrectly use 'earn' without an object, e.g., 'I earn' instead of 'I earn money'.
• Some may say 'earn to' instead of 'earn for' when describing the purpose of earning.

Frequently asked questions about Earn

What does Earn mean?

To get money for work or services.

What is the definition of Earn?

to get money for work that you do

How do you use Earn in a sentence?

She works hard to earn a good salary.

Can you give another example of Earn?

You can earn points by completing the challenges.

What are synonyms for Earn?

Common alternatives include receive, gain, acquire, obtain, make.

What is the opposite of Earn?

Opposite meanings include spend, lose, waste.

What words go with Earn?

It commonly pairs with consistently, reportedly, reputedly, have to, need to, expect to, from, a/​the chance to earn something, a/​the opportunity to earn something, earn a living as something, really, richly, rightfully, have to, need to, seek to.

What are common mistakes when using Earn?

'Earn' is often confused with 'win' — winning is usually associated with luck or competitions. Learners might incorrectly use 'earn' without an object, e.g., 'I earn' instead of 'I earn money'. Some may say 'earn to' instead of 'earn for' when describing the purpose of earning.

How do you pronounce Earn?

US: /["/ɜːrn/","/ɜːrnz/","/ɜːrnd/","/ˈɜːrnɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/ɜːn/","/ɜːnz/","/ɜːnd/","/ˈɜːnɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Earn?

Use 'earn' to talk about getting money from a job, prize, or investment. It is not used in informal contexts like 'make money' or 'score cash'.

What CEFR level is Earn?

"Earn" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.