earnest

¹ American  

[ur-nist] / ˈɜr nɪst /

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.

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noun

1. seriousness and zealousness.

   to speak in earnest.

earnest ² American  

[ur-nist] / ˈɜr nɪst /

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.

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earnest ¹ British  

/ 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

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noun

1. seriousness

2. with serious or sincere intentions

earnest ² British  

/ 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

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earnest Idioms  

1. see in earnest.

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• earnestly adverb
• earnestness noun

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Aiken rose to fame as the earnest, vocally gifted runner-up on “American Idol” circa 2003.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

While the war in Iran lately has instilled volatility in the market, the software selloff began in earnest at the end of January.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Development of its massive resources began in earnest in the 1980s.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

"I got it wrong. I felt that was where we were," he told MPs, adding that "things drop away" over Christmas and New Year, but work was now under way "in earnest".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

By then the Nazi blitzkrieg had begun in earnest, and Hitler’s forces were steamrolling across Europe.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

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