income

Money one earns by working or by capitalising on the work of others.

How to use

In everyday conversation, income is often discussed in terms of salary or wages, but it can also refer to profits from investments or business ventures. In formal contexts, such as financial reports or tax returns, income is typically listed as a specific amount, often with accompanying details about deductions or expenses. When using the word income in English, be mindful of the verb tense: for example, 'I earn a steady income' is correct, but 'I earn a steady income's' is incorrect.