income

word

/ˈɪnˌkəm/
IN-kuhm
/ˈɪnkʌm/
IN-kuhm

Definition

Money that a person, business, or organization receives regularly from work, sales, investments, or other sources. It is the money coming in before or after expenses, depending on the context.

Usage & Nuances

Often used in finance and everyday life. Common collocations include 'monthly income', 'annual income', 'household income', and 'income tax'. 'Income' is broader than 'salary' or 'wage' because it can include money from investments, rent, or business. In business, 'income' can sometimes overlap with 'revenue' or 'profit', so context matters.

Example Sentences

My family’s income changed last year.

basic

Her income is enough to pay the rent.

basic

They have two sources of income.

basic

She started freelancing to earn some extra income.

natural

With that income, living in the city is tough.

natural

A big part of their income comes from online sales.

natural