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earned Meaning & Definition

/ɝnd/

What Does Earned Mean?

As a verb, earned means simple past and past participle of earn. As an adjective, it means Not paid for; appearing in media on its own merits.

Earned: Key Facts

Part of speechverb, adjective
Pronunciation//ɝnd//
Syllables1
Synonymsmerited, attained and generate
Antonymsunearned

Earned Definition (Verb)

  1. simple past and past participle of earn

Earned as an Adjective

  1. Not paid for; appearing in media on its own merits.

Verb

  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.

    He earns seven million dollars a year as CEO.  My bank account is only earning one percent interest.

  3. To cause (someone) to receive payment or reward.

    My CD earns me six percent!

  4. To achieve by being worthy of.

    to earn a spot in the top 20

Verb

  1. To curdle, as milk.

Verb

  1. To long; to yearn.
  2. To grieve.

Synonyms of Earned

Earned synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Earned

Earned in a Sentence

You can have the s'mores: you earned them, clearing the walkway of snow so well.

He earns seven million dollars a year as CEO.  My bank account is only earning one percent interest.

Now that you are earning, you can start paying me rent.

My CD earns me six percent!

to earn a spot in the top 20

Word Forms & Grammar

earned

earned (not comparable)

Words That Rhyme With Earned

Earned Pronunciation

Earned is pronounced //ɝnd// and has 1 syllable.

Quick Answers About Earned

Is earned a verb or an adjective?

Earned is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as an adjective.

What is another word for earned?

Close synonyms of earned are merited, attained and generate. See the full list of earned synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of earned?

The opposite of earned is unearned.

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