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 almost makes you wonder if Lizard Squad did this just to annoy Anonymous and the other earnest champions of privacy.

From The Daily Beast

He becomes especially earnest when the conversation turns to his role as The Baker in Into the Woods.

From The Daily Beast

Lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg was as provocative as Hammerstein, though with a much less earnest, more whimsical sensibility.

From The Daily Beast

The US first considered the idea in the 1820s, but interest was revived in earnest after the California Gold Rush began in 1849.

From The Daily Beast

Few politicians garner the celebrity that Senator Booker does, and fewer still seem so earnest and human while doing it.

From The Daily Beast

The hum of earnest or glad voices here contrasted strongly with silence and meditation there.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a slow process, but earnest hearts and united minds will render it a sure one.

From Project Gutenberg

The earnest youth grinding at the academic mill has dreamed it in the pauses of his studious labor.

From Project Gutenberg

We made the freight camp, however, just as the storm cut loose in deadly earnest.

From Project Gutenberg

A remarkable man he was indeed; simple and earnest in manner, with a fine eye, a full dark beard and sunburnt face.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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