To earn means to receive something through your own work or effort. When you earn money, you get paid because you did a job: maybe you mowed lawns, helped at a family business, or completed chores at home. When you earn a good grade, you studied hard and learned the material.

The key idea behind earning is that you deserve what you get because you worked for it. A basketball player who practices for hours earns her spot on the starting lineup. A student who writes and rewrites an essay until it's excellent earns the teacher's praise.

You can earn money, grades, respect, trust, and a reputation. You can earn someone's respect through honest behavior, earn someone's trust by keeping your promises, or earn a reputation for being reliable by showing up when you say you will.

The opposite of earning would be taking, stealing, or receiving something as a gift. When you earn something, you can feel proud because you worked for it.