Standard Lemma guide

hard-earned

adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Having been obtained with a great deal of effort.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • This is my hard-earned money, and I can spend it how I see fit.
  • It was a hard-earned victory for the team.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Money that one owns.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From hard + earned.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 來之不易的 /来之不易的 (láizhībùyì de) — obtained with a great deal of effort
  • Finnish: kovalla työllä ansaittu — obtained with a great deal of effort
  • Italian: sudato — obtained with a great deal of effort
  • Portuguese: suado — obtained with a great deal of effort