Words / B2

URN-ingz/ˈɜːnɪŋz/

Earnings are money received from work or business, usually plural: average earnings; earnings growth. Income is wider (can include benefits); wage is often hourly/weekly (B1); salary is annual professional pay. Profit is for firms after costs. Do not write “an earning” for pay. UK: Office for National Statistics earnings releases.

Meaning

Money that a person or company receives from work or business (usually plural).

Examples

• “Average earnings rose more slowly than rents in the city.”
• “Average earnings rose more slowly than rents.”
• “The company’s earnings fell in the second quarter, which is the corporate sense.”

Good to know

Usually plural: earnings; average / weekly earnings. Wider: income. After costs (firm): profit. Not “an earning”.

Near in meaning

income

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