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Added 7 October 2026

earn

/ɜːn/ verb

Categories: Money & PropertyUncommon Words

In Latin: mereō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about earn at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. 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.
  2. To receive payment for work or for a role or position held (regardless of whether effort was applied or whether the remuneration is deserved or commensurate).
    He earns seven million dollars a year as CEO. My bank account is only earning one percent interest.
  3. To receive payment for work.
    Now that you are earning, you can start paying me rent.

verb

  1. To curdle (milk), especially in the cheesemaking process.
  2. Of milk: to curdle, especially in the cheesemaking process.

verb

  1. To strongly long or yearn (for something or to do something).
  2. To grieve.

noun

  1. Alternative form of erne

Origin

From Middle English ernen, from Old English earnian, from Proto-West Germanic *aʀanōn, from Proto-Germanic *azanōną. This verb is denominal from the noun *azaniz (“harvest”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: gainmakerealizecleargarnergainingreceiveprocurepay

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