EARN Meaning and
Definition
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Earn is a transitive verb that refers to the process of obtaining or acquiring something in return for one's effort or work. It typically involves receiving compensation or rewards for the services or skills provided. Primarily used in the context of financial gain, earning encompasses the act of receiving wages, salaries, profits, or bonuses for work done or services rendered.
Earning is often associated with employment or entrepreneurship, where individuals engage in productive activities and generate income in exchange for their labor or business ventures. It is a fundamental aspect of the economic system and serves as a measure of individual productivity, contribution, and success.
The concept of earning extends beyond just financial gains. It can also pertain to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, or academic qualifications through learning and education. In this sense, one can earn a degree, certification, or accreditation by successfully completing a course of study or training program.
Earning is intrinsically linked to the notion of merit and personal achievement. It implies the notion of deserving what one obtains as a result of effort, skill, or dedication to a particular endeavor. The level of earning can vary depending on factors such as expertise, experience, market demand, or the value of the services provided.
In summary, earning encompasses the act of obtaining compensation or rewards, usually in the form of money, for work performed, services rendered, or skills demonstrated.
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To gain or win by labour; to reap the fruit of one's labour; to merit or deserve.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for EARN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for EARN
Etymology of EARN
The word earn has Germanic origins and can be traced back to the Old English word earnian or yrnan, which means to get, acquire or to deserve. It is related to other Germanic languages, such as Old High German ernon and Old Saxon irnian. The root of the word is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root er- or or-, which conveys the idea of to set oneself in motion, to energize.
Idioms with the word EARN
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earn/win your spurs
To "earn/win your spurs" is an idiom that signifies proving oneself, usually by successfully completing a difficult or challenging task, and subsequently gaining recognition, respect, or a higher position within a particular field, profession, or organization. The origin of this idiom comes from medieval times when knights would be granted spurs as a symbol of their knighthood after demonstrating valor in battle or achieving notable accomplishments.
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earn one's spurs
The idiom "earn one's spurs" means to prove oneself, often by showing great skill or achievement in a particular field or endeavor. It originated from the practice of medieval knights earning their spurs, which were a symbol of knighthood, through acts of bravery and skill in battle.
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earn one's keep
The idiom "earn one's keep" means to work and contribute enough to justify the cost or effort of one's presence or upkeep, usually in a household or place of employment. It implies that a person is fulfilling their responsibilities and providing value proportionate to the resources they consume.
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earn (one's)
The idiom "earn (one's)" means to deserve or to have rightfully achieved something through one's efforts, skills, or hard work. It commonly refers to gaining recognition, respect, a reward, or a particular position based on one's merit.
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earn (one's) wings
The idiom "earn (one's) wings" means to prove oneself or demonstrate the required skills, qualifications, or abilities to be granted authority, responsibility, or a promotion in a particular field or profession. It often implies the attainment of a higher level of recognition, achievement, or status. The expression originates from the training and certification process of pilots, where after completing the necessary training and meeting the required standards, they are said to have earned their wings, symbolizing their readiness to fly aircraft independently.
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earn its keep
The idiom "earn its keep" means to fulfill or justify one's worth, usually in regard to an object or entity that provides value or benefits in return for its cost, effort, or existence. It implies that something or someone is contributing sufficiently to warrant the resources used to support or maintain it.
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earn keep
The idiom "earn one's keep" means to work hard or perform tasks in order to deserve what one receives, typically referring to one's wages or living expenses. It implies the idea of earning or justifying the resources or benefits one receives by contributing or being productive. It can also be used figuratively to describe proving one's worth or contributing to a particular situation or group effort.
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earn spurs
The idiom "earn spurs" means to prove one's ability, skill, or worth, often in a particular field or area of expertise. It originates from the practice of awarding spurs, which are metal spikes worn on the heels of horse riders, as a symbol of achievement or recognition. Thus, "earning spurs" symbolizes gaining recognition or respect through hard work, accomplishment, or merit.
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earn your keep
The idiom "earn your keep" means to work hard and contribute enough value or effort to justify receiving something in return, such as wages or benefits. It implies that one's work or performance should be productive and influential enough to merit the rewards or benefits received.
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earn your spurs
The idiom "earn your spurs" means to prove oneself or demonstrate competency and skill in a particular field or area. It can be used metaphorically to describe someone who has achieved a level of expertise, experience, or recognition after working hard and proving their worth. The phrase originates from medieval times when knights were granted spurs, a symbol of honor and knighthood, after proving their valor and skill in battle.
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earn/get brownie points
The idiom "earn/get brownie points" refers to gaining favor or receiving credit for doing something good or impressive. It is often used to describe a situation where someone earns or receives acknowledgment, recognition, or positive reinforcement for their actions or accomplishments, potentially leading to benefits or advantages in the future.
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earn a/your crust
To "earn a/your crust" is an idiomatic expression that means to earn a living or make enough money to support oneself. It refers to the basic necessity of earning enough to provide for one's own daily bread or sustenance, symbolizing the importance of self-sufficiency and financial stability.
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earn brownie points
The idiom "earn brownie points" means to accumulate favor or recognition with someone through extra effort or commendable actions, often with the hope of gaining a future advantage or reward. It is based on the concept of earning points in the Girl Guides or Girl Scouts organization, specifically the "Brownies" division, by performing good deeds or exhibiting desirable behavior.
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earn (one's) crust
The idiom "earn (one's) crust" means to work hard and make a living, especially through one's labor or expertise. It refers to earning enough money to sustain oneself and afford the basic necessities of life, such as food (specifically, bread or crust).
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earn your stripes
To "earn your stripes" means to prove oneself and gain respect or recognition through hard work, skill, or experience. The saying originates from military or organizational contexts, where individuals often receive stripes on their uniform as a symbol of rank or accomplishment. It implies that one has successfully demonstrated their abilities or qualifications to achieve a higher position or greater responsibilities.
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earn an honest penny
The idiom "earn an honest penny" means to make a living or earn money through honest and hard work, without any form of deceit or dishonesty. It implies that the individual is earning their income through ethical means, often by putting in a significant amount of effort.
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earn/get/score brownie points
The idiom "earn/get/score brownie points" means to gain favor, approval, or recognition by doing something impressive, helpful, or praiseworthy, typically to gain an advantage or to improve one's reputation.
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earn your corn
To "earn your corn" means to work hard and prove oneself in order to justify one's salary or position. It typically refers to proving one's worth or competence through consistent effort and performance. The phrase originates from the agricultural practice of paying workers with corn, where the amount of corn received was directly proportional to the effort exerted.
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earn a living
The idiom "earn a living" refers to the act of procuring money or income through one's work or occupation in order to support oneself and meet financial needs.
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earn your crust
The idiom "earn your crust" means to work hard in order to earn a living or to make money. It implies that one must put in significant effort and contribute their skills or labor to sustain themselves financially. The "crust" refers metaphorically to one's daily bread or the basic necessities of life.
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earn a crust
The idiom "earn a crust" means to earn a living or make enough money to meet one's basic needs for survival. It refers to the concept of earning enough to have food on the table, which is symbolized by the crust of bread.
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earn an honest buck
The idiom "earn an honest buck" means to make a living or earn money in a fair and honorable way, typically through hard work or legitimate means. It implies that the individual is not engaging in any illegal or unethical activities to gain income.
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earn one's stripes
The idiom "earn one's stripes" means to prove one's abilities, expertise, or worth through hard work, skill, or experience in a particular field or task. It originates from military ranks, where soldiers would earn stripes on their uniform to symbolize their promotion in rank and experience. Metaphorically, it refers to achieving recognition, respect, or authority through demonstrated competence and dedication.
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win/earn your spurs
To prove oneself worthy or deserving of recognition or respect through hard work, skill, or achievement. This phrase is often used in reference to earning recognition or advancement in a particular field or profession.
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(earn/get) straight A’s
The idiom "(earn/get) straight A’s" refers to achieving the highest possible grades, typically referring to earning all A grades on a report card or consistently performing exceptionally well academically.
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pay, earn, charge, etc. top dollar
To pay, earn, charge, etc. top dollar means to pay or receive a high price for something, indicating that it is of high quality or in high demand.
Similar spelling words for EARN
Conjugate verb Earn
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
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CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
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FUTURE
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FUTURE CONTINUOUS
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FUTURE PERFECT
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FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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IMPERATIVE
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let´s earn
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PAST CONTINUOUS
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PAST PARTICIPLE
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PAST PERFECT
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PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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PRESENT
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PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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PRESENT PARTICIPLE
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PRESENT PERFECT
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PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
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SIMPLE PAST
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