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.

3. anything that gives pledge, promise, or indication of what is to follow.

earnest

¹

/ 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. with serious or sincere intentions

earnest

²

/ ˈɜːnɪst /

noun

1. a part or portion of something given in advance as a guarantee of the remainder

2. Also called: earnest money. contract law something given, usually a nominal sum of money, to confirm a contract

3. any token of something to follow; pledge; assurance

Other Word Forms

• earnestly adverb
• earnestness 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

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

Origin of earnest²

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

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

The purges of Chinese residents here began in earnest in 1885, in the Humboldt County town of Eureka, 100 miles south of Smith River.

From Los Angeles Times

The federal government now says it will continue in earnest.

From Los Angeles Times

But the movie stays in that postcard allure, never quite edging its earnest expressions of desire and anxiety into anything more stakes-driven or detailed, the way a love letter might rattle and console simultaneously.

From Los Angeles Times

The NBA’s quest to “create an All-Star experience that we can be proud of and our players can be proud of” continues in earnest and with a new partner.

From Los Angeles Times

Gleeson, whose character tries, against the odds, to breathe life back into local journalism, describes Ned as both earnest and disastrous.

From BBC

Related Words

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