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earnest

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Earnest is defined as the state of being serious or intense.

(noun)

A contract is an agreement that is an example of something made in earnest.
An artist who works constantly and makes many pieces of art each day is an example of working in earnest.

The definition of earnest is intense and not playful, or important.

(adjective)

An example of someone earnest is a preacher speaking to a congregation of devout followers.
A lesson on how to correctly perform CPR is an example of something earnest.

See earnest in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

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

Origin: 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:

earnestly adverb
earnestness noun

noun

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

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

See earnest in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective