earned

/ɜːn/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɚnd] /ɝːn/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈɚnd] /ˈərn/ (ame, mw)

earned — verb

  • earnedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • earneds3rd person singular
  • earneding-ing form
  • earnededpast simple

1. to get money by doing work for an employer or by providing a service for someone

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to get money by doing work for an employer or by providing a service for someone

例句

Sayaka earned her first paycheck working at a local cafe last summer.

earn + working at [place]

The startup earned over two million dollars from its new app last year.

同義詞
  • make

    more general; 'make money' is common in everyday speech

  • bring in

    informal, often used for a business or household income

  • net

    specifically refers to money after taxes or costs are deducted

反義詞
  • spend

    to use money to buy things

  • lose

    to have money taken away or fail to earn it

文法句型

earn + money + from/by [source]

earn + someone + something (double object)

用法筆記

Can be used with two objects: 'His job earned him fifty thousand dollars a year.' Often followed by 'from' or 'by' to show the source of income.

常見錯誤

❌I won $50,000 from my job last year.
✅I earned $50,000 from my job last year.
💡'win' suggests luck or a competition; 'earn' is about working for payment.
❌She gained a living by selling handmade bags.
✅She earned a living by selling handmade bags.
💡'gain' does not collocate with 'a living'; the fixed phrase is 'earn a living'.

2. to get something desirable, such as praise, rest, or a good opportunity, because

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to get something desirable, such as praise, rest, or a good opportunity, because of your hard work or good behaviour

例句

After six months of intense training, Sven earned a spot on the national swim team.

earn a spot on [team]

The young journalist earned a reputation for writing fair and balanced articles.

earn a reputation for [quality]

同義詞
  • deserve

    focuses on worthiness, not the actual receiving — you can deserve something without earning it

  • merit

    formal; 'merit a reward' means to be worthy of it

  • gain

    broader; can include things acquired by effort, luck, or other means

反義詞
  • lose

    to no longer have something you previously earned

文法句型

earn + abstract noun (respect / reputation / rest / place)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person who has put in effort or shown good qualities. Object is typically an abstract noun (respect, reputation, rest, place, praise) rather than money or concrete goods.

常見錯誤

❌She earned a cold from walking in the rain.
✅She earned a promotion by working hard.
💡'earn' is used for positive or deserved outcomes, not for negative events that happen by chance.
❌He deserved a rest so he earned one.
✅He worked hard and earned a rest.
💡'deserve' is about what someone should get; 'earn' is about getting something by actually doing the work.