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 music is thunderously loud and, in large patches, surprisingly earnest.

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“Bank lending begins in earnest once that short curve turns positive, and we could begin to see that sooner than next summer,” Blitz said via phone.

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I enjoy having earnest conversations about religion with my new neighbors.

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While America spent 15 years holding earnest conferences about its carbon footprint, China started construction on 95 gigawatts of coal capacity in 2024 — roughly 150 new plants.

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“I think these are conversations that will happen in earnest, on many policies, post-election.”

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Related Words

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