earnest

[ur-nist]

earnest Definition

• 1. resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction
• 2. serious in intention, purpose, or effort
• 3. not 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

Synonyms for earnest

• sincere
• serious
• grave
• solemn
• earnest

Antonyms for earnest

• frivolous
• facetious

Phrases with earnest

• in earnest

  with sincere and serious intent

  Example

  After months of preparation, the project finally began in earnest.

• be in earnest

  to be sincere and serious about something

  Example

  I thought he was joking at first, but he was actually in earnest about his plans to start a business.

• earnest money

  a deposit made to show that a buyer is serious about purchasing a property

  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'

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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.