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Earning Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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earning

[ˈɜːrnɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

finance

The process of receiving money for work that you have done

Synonyms

income, salary, wages.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
earning

This term is used to refer to the money someone makes in general, usually from working, investing, or running a business. It doesn't specify the source and can be used broadly.

  • Her total earning for the year was impressive.
  • Diversifying your investments can boost your overall earning.
income

This word is commonly used to describe the money received regularly, from various sources such as a job, investments, or benefits. It is often used in financial contexts to discuss overall financial health.

  • He has a stable income from his job and his side business.
  • Tax benefits can affect your annual income.
wages

Wages typically refer to payments received by an employee based on the number of hours worked or units produced. It is often associated with hourly or daily labor positions.

  • The factory workers receive their wages every Friday.
  • He earns higher wages during the holiday season due to overtime.
salary

Salary is specifically the fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly or biweekly basis, received from an employer. It is often used when speaking about professionals and employees.

  • Her monthly salary allows her to save for vacations.
  • He negotiated a higher salary with his new employer.

Examples of usage

  • She is proud of her hard work and the earnings it has brought her.
  • The company reported record earnings this quarter.
Context #2 | Noun

business

The amount of profit that a company makes during a particular period

Synonyms

income, profit, revenue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
earning

This term refers to money obtained from performing work or services. It is often used when speaking about individual or household finances.

  • She depends on her monthly earnings to support her family.
  • His total earnings for the year were quite impressive.
profit

Profit refers to the financial gain made after deducting expenses from revenue. This term is primarily used in a business context.

  • The company reported a significant profit this quarter.
  • After subtracting expenses, their profit was higher than expected.
revenue

Revenue is the total amount of money generated from sales or operations before any expenses are subtracted. It is used in business and organizational contexts to measure gross income.

  • The firm saw a 20% increase in revenue last year.
  • Their primary revenue sources are product sales and service fees.
income

Income encompasses all sources of money a person or organization receives, including salaries, dividends, and rental income. It is often used in personal finance, taxation, and financial statements.

  • Her annual income includes her salary, freelance gigs, and investment returns.
  • They need to manage their income wisely to avoid financial problems.

Examples of usage

  • The company's earnings have been steadily increasing over the past few years.
  • Investors are optimistic about the company's future earnings potential.
Context #3 | Noun

investment

Money that is gained from investments, dividends, or interest

Synonyms

dividends, profits, returns.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
returns

Often used in investment and business contexts to describe the financial gains or losses from an investment or business activity over a specific period. It can be used both positively and negatively.

  • The returns on his investment portfolio were impressive this year.
  • She's evaluating the potential returns before starting the new project.
dividends

Specifically used in the context of stock investments, referring to the portion of a company's profits distributed to shareholders. Suitable for financial discussions involving investments and stocks.

  • Shareholders received hefty dividends this year.
  • Investing in blue-chip stocks can provide stable dividends.

Examples of usage

  • He reinvested his earnings back into the stock market.
  • She lives off the earnings generated by her real estate investments.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Economics

  • Earnings are often tracked to measure a person's or company's financial performance.
  • In finance, 'earnings' can refer to net profit, which is vital for understanding a business's health.
  • There are various forms of earnings, such as passive income, active income, and capital gains.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In different cultures, the concept of earning can vary – some prioritize communal benefits over individual earnings.
  • Certain societies place high value on education as a pathway to higher earnings and social status.
  • In popular media, many portrayals of 'earning' highlight the importance of hard work and resilience in achieving dreams.

Psychology

  • Research shows that individuals often feel a sense of pride and accomplishment with their earnings, impacting overall happiness.
  • Understanding one's earning potential can influence career choices and motivation levels.
  • The concept of earning influences behaviors, as people are often motivated to work harder when they see clear rewards.

Education

  • Financial literacy is essential to understanding how earnings work, especially in managing personal finances.
  • Many educational programs teach students the value of earning through work and entrepreneurship.
  • Understanding taxation is crucial, as it affects how much of one's earnings are kept after working.

Origin of 'earning'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'earnian', meaning 'to earn or deserve'.
  • It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word 'arno', meaning 'to earn' or 'to gain'.
  • Over time, its meaning expanded to include not just money but also respect and trust.

The word "earning" originated from the Old English word "earnian", meaning "deserve, earn, or acquire by labor". The concept of earning money for work has been a fundamental part of human society throughout history. From bartering goods and services to the modern economy based on wages and profits, the idea of earning has evolved with the development of civilizations. Earnings are not just a measure of financial success, but also a reflection of one's contributions and efforts in various fields.

See also: earn, earned, earnest, earnings, unearned.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,140 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.