earnestness

[ur-nist-nis]

noun

1. seriousness and zeal in intention, purpose, or effort.

   Socrates was a man of great moral earnestness, and exemplified in his own life some of the noblest virtues.

2. depth and sincerity of feeling.

   Speak with conviction and earnestness, and the people watching and listening will believe you.

Word History and Origins

Origin of earnestness¹

earnest ¹ ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

That’s not to say that the movie feels disingenuous; it’s brimming with earnestness, but fervor can be easily mistaken for fanfare.

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Yet, at the same time, Penn and Teller performed with earnestness and never judged their audiences.

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I hear similarities in the guitar playing, though I think you balance earnestness with a knowing quality I don’t get from stomp-clap.

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He characterized the backlash against his song as an aversion to earnestness, one that no doubt existed at the time his single was climbing the charts.

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His earnestness is comic and sweet and dangerous.

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Related Words

• ardor 
• devotion 
• enthusiasm 
• fervor 
• firmness www.thesaurus.com
• intensity 
• sincerity 
• solemnity 
• tenacity 
• urgency 
• warmth 
• zeal