◙ verb 1. [with obj.] (of a person) obtain (money) in return for labour or services • 赚得，挣得 »he now earns his living as a lorry driver. 他现在靠当卡车司机谋生。 »[with two objs] earn yourself a few dollars. 给你自己挣点钱。 [with two objs] (of an activity or action) cause (someone) to obtain (money) • 使（某人）赚得 »this latest win earned them $50,000 in prize money. 最近的那次胜利使他们获得了五万美元的奖金。 (of capital invested) gain (money) as interest or profit • （投入资金）生息，赢利 gain or incur deservedly in return for one's behaviour or achievements • 获得，博得；招致，惹起 »through the years she has earned affection and esteem. 经过这么多年，她赢得了人们的尊敬和爱戴。
【IDIOMS】
◘ earn one's corn 1. [Brit. informal] put in a lot of effort to show that one deserves one's wages • [英，非正式] 凭实力获得应得的酬劳 ◘ earn one's keep 1. work in return for food and accommodation • 谋生，挣饭吃 be worth the time, money, or effort spent on one • 值得为之花费时间、金钱或精力
【语源】
1. Old English earnian, of West Germanic origin, from a base shared by Old English esne 'labourer'