# earn

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɜːn/ · frequency rank #3,102

## Definitions
1. To gain (success, reward, recognition) through applied effort or work.
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).
3. To receive payment for work.
4. To cause (someone) to receive payment or reward.
5. To achieve by being worthy of.

## Etymology
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”).

## Easily confused with
- **en** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-en)
- **er** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-er)
- **eat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-eat)
- **era** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-era)
- **err** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-err)
- **erm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-erm)
- **ERS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-ers)
- **eau** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-eau)
- **ere** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-ere)
- **ERP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-erp)
- **een** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-een)
- **EAS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-eas)
- **eon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-eon)
- **Erc** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-erc)
- **erg** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-erg)
- **Eri** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-eri)
- **even** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-even)
- **easy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-easy)
- **east** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-east)
- **ears** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/earn-vs-ears)

## Common misspellings (5)
`aern`, `eanr`, `earnn`, `earrn`, `eran`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/earn