earnest money
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of earnest money
First recorded in 1550–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Typically, the immediate consequence is forfeiting the earnest money deposit you put down,” Will McSeveney says.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026
That deposit, often called earnest money, is typically 1% to 3% of the home price.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
If the buyer changes their mind for any reason within 14 days, Conner Homes refunds the earnest money and cancels the transaction.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 3, 2022
“With new construction, you usually only have 15 to 30 days, depending on the contract, to get your earnest money back,” Rueth says.
From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2022
“You and your husband had recently put down earnest money on this land. Is that correct, Mrs. Heine?”
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
