income
/ˈɪnˌkʌm/
Income refers to the flow of money entering a person's or entity's possession. Unlike 'wealth', which represents a total stockpile of assets, income is about the recurring stream of revenue. It carries a neutral, professional connotation and is the standard term used in legal, tax, and financial contexts. While 'salary' refers specifically to fixed payment from an employer, 'income' is broader, encompassing dividends, rental yields, and side-hustles. In social contexts, it often serves as a proxy for socioeconomic status or stability. It is typically paired with modifiers like "gross" (before taxes) or "net" (after deductions) to specify the actual usable amount of money.
Uncountable when referring to the general flow of money entering a household ('low income'). Countable when distinguishing between different sources or types of revenue ('multiple streams of income').
💬Casual Conversation
Thinking of pivoting to consulting. Need more passive income to scale my lifestyle.
Just stop buying fancy watches and you'll be golden.
Meanings
Etymology
Derived from the Middle English word "incumen," which is a combination of the prefix "in-" meaning into and the verb "come." It originally referred to the act of coming in or arriving, later evolving in the 16th century to specifically denote money that comes into a person's possession or household.