earned; earning; earns
1
a
: to receive as return for effort and especially for work done or services rendered
b
: to bring in by way of return
bonds earning 10 percent interest
2
a
: to come to be duly worthy of or entitled or suited to
she earned a promotion
b
: to make worthy of or obtain for
the suggestion earned him a promotion
earner
noun
Examples of earn in a Sentence
Verb (1)
during my teen years I earned pocket money by mowing lawns
you've earned the afternoon off after all that hard work
Recent Examples on the Web
Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026
While the business has earned attention for outfitting films like The Wolf of Wall Street and American Gangster, Logsdail practices bespoke at a remarkably intimate and traditional level.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard College became free for students from families earning $100,000 or less—covering tuition, food, housing, health insurance, and travel costs—and tuition-free for families earning up to $200,000.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for earn
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The Blueshirts survived another seven-game series in the Cup Final to beat the Canucks and earn their first championship since 1940.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026
While the business has earned attention for outfitting films like The Wolf of Wall Street and American Gangster, Logsdail practices bespoke at a remarkably intimate and traditional level.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 20 May 2026
Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard College became free for students from families earning $100,000 or less—covering tuition, food, housing, health insurance, and travel costs—and tuition-free for families earning up to $200,000.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for earn
Cite this Entry
“Earn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earn. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
