earnest Definition
- 1resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction
- 2serious in intention, purpose, or effort
- 3not playful or trifling
Using earnest: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "earnest" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She made an earnest attempt to learn the language.
Example
He spoke in earnest about the importance of the issue.
Example
The company's earnest efforts to reduce waste paid off in the long run.
earnest Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with earnest
Example
After months of preparation, the project finally began in earnest.
Example
I thought he was joking at first, but he was actually in earnest about his plans to start a business.
Example
We had to put down some earnest money to secure the house we wanted to buy.
Origins of earnest
from Old English 'eornost', meaning 'seriousness' or 'earnestness'
Summary: earnest in Brief
The term 'earnest' [ur-nist] describes a sincere and serious attitude or effort, often with a sense of conviction. It can refer to a person's intentions or actions, as in 'She made an earnest attempt to learn the language,' or to a situation, as in 'The company's earnest efforts to reduce waste paid off in the long run.' 'Earnest' also appears in phrases like 'in earnest,' indicating sincere intent, and 'earnest money,' referring to a deposit made to show serious interest.