earnestear‧nest1 /ˈɜːnɪst $ ˈɜːr-/ ●○○ adjective 
a rather earnest young man Matthews was in earnest conversation with a young girl. an earnest desire to offer something useful to societyearnest expression/look/voice etcearnest attempt/effort etc► see thesaurus at serious—earnestly adverb: earnestly discussing politics—earnestness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINearnest1
Origin:
Old English eornostEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a group of earnest musicians dressed completely in black
- Friends described Jackson as an earnest, hard-working young man.
- One earnest young man asked De Mille about the philosophical meaning of his films.
- It is my earnest wish that rugby continues to fulfil this role.
- The debate was prolonged and earnest.
- The other night we had quite an earnest talk.
- There was some earnest grunting and scraping, but no upward progress.
- They belonged to that earnest minority among the privileged, devoted to plain-living and high-thinking.
THESAURUSnot joking
not joking or laughing, or not pretending: · His voice sounded serious.· They seem to be serious about their relationship.
very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony: · My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals.· The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
written quiet and very serious – used especially about the way people look when something important or worrying happens: · She consulted Doctor Staples and returned looking grave.· He listened with a grave expression on his face.
British English (also somber American English) written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen: · They sat in sombre silence.· The meeting began in a sombre mood.
very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced: · He was a rather earnest-looking young man.· ‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who is quiet and does not laugh or joke much someone who is serious is quiet and sensible, and does not seem to enjoy laughing and joking: · Friends described him as a serious and thoughtful man.serious about: · Laura was always very serious about her work.
someone who is earnest is very serious or too serious, and believes that what they say or do is very important - use this especially about someone who is young or not very experienced: · One earnest young man asked De Mille about the philosophical meaning of his films.· a group of earnest musicians dressed completely in black
someone who is sober is very serious and thinks carefully about things, and does not laugh or joke very often: · I went to see Professor Dandavate, a sober and respected academic. · a sober-looking man in a grey suit
British /have no sense of humor American someone who has no sense of humour does not understand jokes, funny situations, etc - use this especially when you think someone like this is annoying or boring: · He didn't laugh at any of my jokes. Maybe taxi drivers just don't have a sense of humor.· My grandmother didn't have much of a sense of humour, and she could never understand what we were laughing about.
someone who is stuffy does not laugh or smile at things that other people think are funny, because they are a little formal and have old-fashioned attitudes: · Victor was as old-fashioned as his father, and equally stuffy.· Come on Dad. Don't be so stuffy!
British /humorless American someone who is humourless never laughs at anything and never tries to be funny or tell jokes: · I knew Deaver at college, and remember him as cold, humorless, and aloof.· Since the death of his wife he has become isolated, defensive and humorless.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Matthews was in earnest conversation with a young girl. an earnest desire to offer something useful to societyCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He was in deadly earnest (=completely serious).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
very serious and sincere: Matthews was in earnest conversation with a young girl. an earnest desire to offer something useful to society He was in deadly earnest (=completely serious).· Any struggle rooted in politicized and grass-roots mobilization is bound to overshadow even the most earnest efforts of politically inhibited endeavors.· The meal in front of them is the topic of their most earnest conversation.
NOUN· An earnest attempt at the Wilde life.
· The meal in front of them is the topic of their most earnest conversation.· I looked round and saw my master in earnest conversation with the monk.· Bobby sighed and turned to the chairman but he was in earnest conversation with a ponderous constable.
· This provides a firm basis for the new interest in evaluation and an earnest desire for its continued growth.· She talked about the language for some time, seemingly against her better judgment, drawn by his earnest desire to learn.· And yet, despite our earnest desire for happiness, we persist in disregarding the spiritual depths of ourselves.
· Under duress, it regularly exercises this will to sabotage the earnest efforts of its well-intentioned host.· Any struggle rooted in politicized and grass-roots mobilization is bound to overshadow even the most earnest efforts of politically inhibited endeavors.
a rather earnest young man Matthews was in earnest conversation with a young girl. an earnest desire to offer something useful to societyearnest expression/look/voice etcearnest attempt/effort etc► see thesaurus at serious—earnestly adverb: earnestly discussing politics—earnestness noun [uncountable]