Earnings

Definition

Earnings refers to the amount of money an individual or organization receives in exchange for labor, services, or investments. In a corporate context, it often refers to the net income a company generates after deducting expenses.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɜrnɪŋz/
• Respelling: UR-ningz

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɜːnɪŋz/
• Respelling: UR-ningz

The pronunciation of "earnings" is consistent in both American and British English, with only minor differences in accentuation.

Etymology

The word "earnings" originates from the Old English word "earnian," which means "to gain or deserve." It is derived from the Proto-Germanic "*aznōjaną," meaning "to earn" or "to labor." Over time, "earnings" came to represent the rewards, usually financial, for work or investment.

Derivatives

• Earn (verb)
• Earned (adjective)
• Unearned (adjective)
• High-earning (adjective)
• Low-earning (adjective)

Synonyms

• Income
• Revenue
• Profit

Antonyms

• Loss
• Deficit
• Debt

Usage

The term "earnings" is frequently used in both personal and corporate finance. It can refer to wages and salaries in individual contexts, while in corporate environments, it is commonly used in the analysis of company profitability, particularly in the context of quarterly or annual financial reports.

Related Terms

• Wages: Compensation paid to an employee for their labor, typically on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis.
• Salary: A fixed amount of money paid to an employee, typically monthly or annually, for their services.
• Dividends: A portion of a company’s earnings distributed to shareholders.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The amount of money an individual earns from labor or work: Refers to the compensation a person receives for their employment or services.
  • Example: "Her earnings increased after she was promoted."
• The profits or net income generated by a company or business: Refers to the financial gains a company makes after expenses are deducted.
  • Example: "The company's quarterly earnings exceeded market expectations."