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Earnings Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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earnings

[ˈɜːrnɪŋz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

financial

Money that is earned through work or investments, typically shown as the total amount received over a period of time.

Synonyms

income, profit, revenue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
earnings

Use when referring to the money someone makes from work or investments over a specific period of time.

  • His monthly earnings are sufficient to cover all his expenses.
  • The company's quarterly earnings exceeded expectations.
income

Use when talking about the total money received from various sources, including salary, investments, and other earnings.

  • Her annual income includes salary, bonuses, and rental income.
  • They need to declare all sources of income for tax purposes.
revenue

Use when talking about the total amount of money generated by the sale of goods or services before any expenses are deducted, usually in a business context.

  • The company's annual revenue grew by 20%.
  • Revenue from online sales has increased dramatically.
profit

Use when referring to the financial gain after all expenses are subtracted from the total revenue, often used in a business context.

  • The business reported a significant profit this quarter.
  • After deducting all costs, the profit margin was higher than expected.

Examples of usage

  • Earnings from her part-time job helped pay for her college tuition.
  • The company announced record earnings for the quarter.
Context #2 | Noun

business

The amount of money that a company makes during a specific period, usually before expenses are deducted.

Synonyms

income, profits, revenue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
earnings

This term is generally used to describe the money that a person or company receives from work, investments, or business activities over a specific period of time, implying a regular or periodic nature.

  • Her yearly earnings have increased significantly after the promotion.
  • The company reported higher earnings this quarter.
profits

This term is used to refer to the financial gain after all expenses have been subtracted from revenue. It is most commonly used in a business or investment context.

  • The store's profits increased after the holiday season.
  • Their company has seen impressive profits since the new product launch.
income

This term is broader and can be used for both individual and company finances. It represents the total amount of money earned from various sources such as salary, investments, business ventures, etc.

  • His primary source of income is from his freelance work.
  • The family's income includes both rental and dividend incomes.
revenue

This term is used to describe the total income generated from business operations, often before any expenses are deducted. It is frequently used in corporate or business reports.

  • The company's annual revenue reached new heights last year.
  • Ad revenue has been steadily growing for the website.

Examples of usage

  • The earnings report showed a decline in profits compared to last year.
  • Investors are eager to see the company's quarterly earnings.

Translations

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

Origin of 'earnings'

The word 'earnings' originated from the Old English word 'earnung' which meant 'a reward for services'. Over time, the term evolved to represent the total amount of money received as a result of work or investments. In the business context, 'earnings' refer to the financial performance of a company. The concept of earnings has been central to economic activities and financial analysis for centuries.

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

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,199, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.