1 to get money for work that you do:
[VN] He earns about ｣20000 a year. * She earned a living as a part-time secretary. * She must earn a fortune (= earn a lot of money). * [VNN] His victory in the tournament earned him $50000. * [V] All the children are earning now.
2 [VN] to get money as profit or interest on money you lend, have in a bank, etc:
Your money would earn more in a high-interest account.
3 to get sth that you deserve, usually because of sth good you have done or because of the good qualities you have:
[VN] He earned a reputation as an expert on tax law. * As a teacher, she had earned the respect and admiration of her students. * I need a rest. Think I've earned it, don't you? * She's having a well-earned rest this week. * [VNN] His outstanding ability earned him a place on the team.
IDIOMS
earn a / your crust (BrE, informal) to earn enough money to live on:
I've been an actor for 20 years, earning a crust wherever I can.
earn your keep
1 to do useful or helpful things in return for being allowed to live or stay somewhere
2 to be worth the amount of time or money that is being spent:
He felt he no longer deserved such a high salary. He just wasn't earning his keep.
moreatSPURn.
