earnest Hear it!

earnest¹ Definition

ear·nest (ʉr′nist)

adjective

  1. serious and intense; not joking or playful; zealous and sincere
  2. not petty or trivial; important

Etymology: ME ernest < OE eornoste < eornost, earnestness, zeal, akin to Ger ernst, seriousness (OHG ernust) < IE base *er-, to set oneself in motion, arouse > run

Related Forms:

earnest¹ Idioms

in earnest

  1. serious; not joking
  2. in a serious or determined manner
earnest² Definition

ear·nest (ʉr′nist)

noun

  1. money given as a part payment and pledge in binding a bargain
    in full earnest money
  2. something given or done as an indication or assurance of what is to come; token

Etymology: altered (after earnest) < ME ernes < OFr erres < L arrae, pl. of arra, arrabo, earnest money < Gr arrabōn < Heb eravon < arav, to guarantee, pledge

earnest Synonyms

earnest

modif.

  1. Zealous

    sincere, determined, heartfelt, warm; see diligent, enthusiastic 2, 3.

  2. Solemn

    serious, grave, sober, weighty; see solemn 1. See syn. study at serious.

earnest Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • give: The protector about this time gave a commendable earnest of his resolution to assert rigorous justice against offenders.

Adjective modifier

  • deadly: She turned to look at me her face had an expression of deadly earnest.
  • dead: He was running in dead earnest now, faster than he had ever run in his life.
  • real: I cannot get him to write or speak in real, solid earnest.
  • good: I made up my mind to go to Russia, and began my preparations in good earnest.
  • right: His sons, William and George, set themselves in right earnest to bring back the prosperity of the old firm.
  • more: Do lavish attention on the person, as the more earnest the attention given the more likely you will end up together.

Modifies a noun

  • entreaty: Wherefore, having laid down his life for the Lord, he maketh earnest entreaty in behalf of our souls.
  • endeavor: There was no mistaking his astonishing sincerity, his painfully earnest endeavor to impart to her some rather unusual id.. .
  • heed: The poor people came quickly together and gave earnest heed to what I said, despite the wind and snow.
  • prayer: Real prayer, earnest prayer, is hard work.
  • desire: Is there a sense of mutual respect and an earnest desire on both sides to do the work?
  • endeavor: A recent case underlines the importance of earnest endeavor to avoid litigation click here for the full article.

Modifying Another Word

  • painfully: There was no mistaking his astonishing sincerity, his painfully earnest endeavor to impart to her some rather unusual id.. .
  • too: In that case, I can only counsel " the importance of not being too earnest " !
  • very: They are closely followed by a couple of very fit, very earnest young men.
  • so: Is Franklin the only man who is lost, that his wife should be so earnest to find him?
  • overly: Then again, I might have just missed the point about some ironic joke thanks to an overly earnest press release.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: His preaching became earnest, didactic, experimental, and pastoral.

Preposition: of

  • spirit: Doesn't Ephesians 1 say we have the earnest of the Spirit?
earnest Quotes

   Prince Albert†discovered the impotence of being earnest.

—Cannadine, David

   The eyes ofall England are onthis Parliament.If youdoin good earnest wish to see England hold the balance of Europe and to be indeed at the head of the Protestant interest, it will appear by your right improving the present opportunity.

—William III also called  William of Orange

I have yet to hear the first syllable of valuable or even earnest advice from my seniors.

—Thoreau, Henry David

   What is our life? a play of passion; Our mirth the music of division; Our mothers' wombs the tiring-houses be Where we are dressed for this short comedy. Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is, That sits and marks still who doth act amiss; Our graves that hide us from the searching sun Are like drawn curtains when the play is done. Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest, Only we die in earnestöthat's no jest.

—Raleigh, Sir Walter