earnest

¹

[ ur-nist ]

adjective

1. serious and zealous in intention, purpose, or effort:

   an earnest worker.

   Synonyms: ambitious, industrious, determined, purposeful, intent, fervent

   Antonyms: frivolous

2. showing depth and sincerity of feeling:

   earnest words; an earnest entreaty.

3. seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention.

noun

1. seriousness and zealousness:

   to speak in earnest.

earnest

²

[ ur-nist ]

noun

1. a portion of something, given or done in advance as a pledge of the remainder.
2. Law. earnest money ( def ).
3. anything that gives pledge, promise, or indication of what is to follow.

earnest

¹

/ ˈɜːnɪst /

noun

1. a part or portion of something given in advance as a guarantee of the remainder
2. Also calledearnest money contract law something given, usually a nominal sum of money, to confirm a contract
3. any token of something to follow; pledge; assurance

earnest

²

/ ˈɜːnɪst /

adjective

1. serious in mind or intention

   an earnest student

2. showing or characterized by sincerity of intention

   an earnest promise

3. demanding or receiving serious attention

noun

1. seriousness
2. in earnest
   with serious or sincere intentions

Derived Forms

• ˈearnestly, adverb
• ˈearnestness, noun

Other Words From

• ear·nest·ly adverb
• ear·nest·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of earnest¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English erneste, Old English eornoste (adjective); Middle English ernest, Old English eornost (noun); cognate with Dutch, German ernest

Origin of earnest²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ernes(t), alteration of Old French erres, plural of erre “earnest money,” from Latin arr(h)a, short for arr(h)abō (perhaps by misunderstanding -bō as a future tense ending; placebo ( def ) ), from Greek arrhabṓn, from Semitic (compare Hebrew ʿērāvôn “security, pledge”); arras ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of earnest¹

C13: from Old French erres pledges, plural of erre earnest money, from Latin arrha, shortened from arrabō pledge, from Greek arrabon, from Hebrew `ērābhōn pledge, from `ārabh he pledged

Origin of earnest²

Old English eornost; related to Old High German ernust seriousness, Old Norse ern energetic, efficient, Gothic arniba secure

Idioms and Phrases

see in earnest .

Synonym Study

Earnest, resolute, serious, sincere imply having qualities of depth and firmness. Earnest implies having a purpose and being steadily and soberly eager in pursuing it: an earnest student. Resolute adds a quality of determination: resolute in defending the right. Serious implies having depth and a soberness of attitude that contrasts with gaiety and frivolity; it may include the qualities of both earnestness and resolution: serious and thoughtful. Sincere suggests genuineness, trustworthiness, and absence of superficiality: a sincere interest in music.

Example Sentences

It was an environmental appeal he crafted not just in earnest — which he certainly was — but also because he thought it was one of the strongest rationales that the United States should remain predominantly white.

From Salon

Yoakam was fascinated with Malone’s background in Texas and how knowledgeable and earnest he was about music.

From Los Angeles Times

Their efforts started in earnest in 2022, when a crop of political organizations funded by the tech industry backed the recall elections of former San Francisco Dist.

From Los Angeles Times

The role is so glorious that he almost breaks character when he begins quaking in earnest.

From Salon

Now that we've had a chance to catch our breath a little bit and get through the grieving process over last Tuesday's election, the inevitable recriminations have begun in earnest.

From Salon

Related Words

• ardent
• diligent
• fervent
• heartfelt
• impassioned
• passionate
• purposeful
• sincere
• urgent