Earn vs. Receive: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
To earn is to gain something in return for one's effort or work, while to receive is to be given or presented with something, without the implication of effort.
Key Differences
Earning typically involves an action or work that leads to a reward or compensation. Receiving, on the other hand, implies getting or being given something, which may not necessarily be tied to an effort or action.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Earning is often used in the context of labor or services provided in exchange for money or benefits. Receiving can happen in various contexts, like receiving a gift, an email, or information, without any prior action.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
To earn something implies a level of merit or deserving through effort. Receiving is more passive, involving the acceptance of something that is offered or provided.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
In the financial context, earnings are usually the result of work performed or investments made. Receiving money could be the result of a variety of circumstances, including gifts, inheritance, or winnings, which do not necessarily involve personal effort.
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Nov 13, 2023
Comparison Chart
Implication of Effort
Involves effort or work
No implication of personal effort
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Nov 13, 2023
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Context
Labor, services, investment returns
Gifts, inheritances, deliveries, messages
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Usage Examples
Earning a salary, earning respect
Receiving a package, receiving news
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Nov 13, 2023
Earn and Receive Definitions
Earn
To receive as a return or reward for effort.
They earned a significant profit from their investment.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Receive
To come into possession of something.
She received a surprise package in the mail.
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Nov 10, 2023
Earn
To merit through work or action.
He earned his promotion through hard work.
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Nov 10, 2023
Receive
To be informed or notified.
They received news of the event's cancellation.
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Nov 10, 2023
Earn
To gain especially for the performance of service, labor, or work
Earned money by mowing lawns.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To take or acquire (something given or offered); get or be given
Receive a present.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Earn
To acquire or deserve as a result of effort or action
She earned a reputation as a hard worker.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To be the person who gets (something sent or transmitted)
Receive an email.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
To yield as return or profit
A savings account that earns interest on deposited funds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
(Sports) To catch or get possession of (a pass or a kicked ball, for example).
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
(transitive) To gain (success, reward, recognition) through applied effort or work.
You can have the s'mores: you earned them, clearing the walkway of snow so well.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
(transitive) To receive payment for work.
He earns seven million dollars a year as CEO.
My bank account is only earning one percent interest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
(intransitive) To receive payment for work.
Now that you are earning, you can start paying me rent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
(transitive) To cause (someone) to receive payment or reward.
My CD earns me six percent!
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To regard with approval or disapproval
Ideas that were received well.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
(transitive) To achieve by being worthy of.
To earn a spot in the top 20
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To listen to and acknowledge formally and authoritatively
The judge received their oath of allegiance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To take in and convert (radio waves, for example) into an electrical signal or into an audio or visual output.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To experience or be subjected to; meet with
Receive sympathetic treatment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To bear the weight or force of; support
The beams receive the full weight of the walls and roof.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
To merit or deserve, as by labor or service; to do that which entitles one to (a reward, whether the reward is received or not).
The high reputeWhich he through hazard huge must earn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
To acquire by labor, service, or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation or wages; as, to earn a good living; to earn honors or laurels.
I earn that [what] I eat.
The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To be exposed to or withstand
The hillside cottage receives strong winds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
To long; to yearn.
And ever as he rode, his heart did earnTo prove his puissance in battle brave.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To admit or welcome guests or visitors
The couple are not receiving this winter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
To gain something in return for labor or service.
He earns a living as a freelance writer.
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Nov 10, 2023
Receive
To convert incoming electromagnetic signals into sound, light, or electrical signals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Earn
To accumulate or gain as a benefit.
She earned points for every purchase with the card.
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Nov 10, 2023
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, etc.; to accept; to be given something.
She received many presents for her birthday.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To act as a host for guests; to give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, etc.
To receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To allow (a custom, tradition, etc.); to give credence or acceptance to.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
(sports) To be in a position to take possession, or hit back the ball.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, or the like; to accept; as, to receive money offered in payment of a debt; to receive a gift, a message, or a letter.
Receyven all in gree that God us sent.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Receive
Hence: To gain the knowledge of; to take into the mind by assent to; to give admission to; to accept, as an opinion, notion, etc.; to embrace.
Our hearts receive your warnings.
The idea of solidity we receive by our touch.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give credence or acceptance to.
Many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, and the like; as, to receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
They kindled a fire, and received us every one.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have capacity for; to be able to take in.
The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To be affected by something; to suffer; to be subjected to; as, to receive pleasure or pain; to receive a wound or a blow; to receive damage.
Against his will he can receive no harm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To bat back (the ball) when served.
Who, if we knewWhat we receive, would either not acceptLife offered, or soon beg to lay it down.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To receive visitors; to be at home to receive calls; as, she receives on Tuesdays.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To return, or bat back, the ball when served; as, it is your turn to receive.
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
Get something; come into possession of;
Receive payment
Receive a gift
Receive letters from the front
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
Of mental or physical states or experiences;
Get an idea
Experience vertigo
Get nauseous
Undergo a strange sensation
The chemical undergoes a sudden change
The fluid undergoes shear
Receive injuries
Have a feeling
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
Express willingness to have in one's home or environs;
The community warmly received the refugees
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
Regard favorably or with disapproval;
Her new collection of poems was not well received
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Oct 19, 2023
Receive
To be given or presented with something.
He received a prestigious award for his work.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
Receive
To accept or take delivery of something.
The company received the shipment yesterday.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
Receive
To be on the receiving end of an action or behavior.
He received overwhelming support from his friends.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is earning always related to money?
Often, but it can also refer to respect, points, or other non-monetary gains.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can you receive something you earned?
Yes, after earning something, you eventually receive it.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can you receive something without working for it?
Yes, receiving doesn’t necessarily require effort.
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Nov 13, 2023
Does receiving imply ownership?
Yes, once you receive something, it typically becomes yours.
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Nov 13, 2023
Can you earn something accidentally?
No, earning usually involves intentional action or effort.
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Nov 13, 2023
Can you earn a gift?
Not typically, as gifts are usually given without the expectation of effort.
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Nov 13, 2023
Do you earn or receive a salary?
You earn a salary through work, and then receive it as payment.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is inheritance earned or received?
It is received, as it doesn't typically require personal effort.
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Nov 13, 2023
What does it mean to earn something?
To gain it through work, effort, or merit.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is earning always a result of positive actions?
Generally, though it can be from negative actions in some contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Is receiving always passive?
Mostly, though it can involve active acceptance in some cases.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is receiving a promotion the same as earning it?
You earn a promotion through work, then receive it officially.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can someone earn a penalty?
Yes, if their actions merit a negative consequence.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is receiving always a physical action?
No, it can also refer to receiving information or messages.
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Nov 13, 2023
Can you earn interest on savings?
Yes, it’s considered earning from an investment.
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Nov 13, 2023
Do you receive or earn a reward?
You earn it through specific actions and then receive it.
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Nov 13, 2023
Do you earn or receive attention?
It can be either, depending on the context and actions involved.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can you earn a diploma?
Yes, by fulfilling the requirements of the course or degree.
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Nov 13, 2023
Do you receive or earn grades in school?
You earn grades based on performance and then receive them in reports.
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Nov 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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