earnings
UK: ˈɜːnɪŋz | US: ˈɜːrnɪŋz
n. money earned through work or investment
n. (business) profits or revenue of a company
The word "earnings" derives from the Old English "earnian," meaning "to reap, deserve, or gain through labor." The suffix "-ing" forms the present participle, turning the verb "earn" into a noun referring to the act or result of earning. The plural "-s" extends the meaning to encompass multiple instances of income or profits. Over time, "earnings" evolved to specifically denote monetary gains, whether from personal labor (e.g., wages) or business activities (e.g., corporate profits). The morphemes reflect a logical progression: labor → result of labor → collective gains.
Her monthly earnings from the part-time job covered her rent.
The company reported record earnings this quarter.
He reinvested his earnings into a new business venture.
Freelancers must track their earnings for tax purposes.
Rising inflation eroded the real value of their earnings.