earnest1
/ˈəːnɪst
/adjective
Resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction: an earnest student two girls were in earnest conversation...
- The truth was more that the agenda didn't fit with her sincere and earnest style, so why should she change in order to fit it?
- Instead, earnest students of public policy are expected to read them onscreen as retrieved via the internet.
- It is only through such earnest conversation that we can hope to approach clarity.
Synonyms
serious, serious-minded, solemn, grave, sober, humourless, staid, steady, intense;
committed, dedicated, assiduous, keen, diligent, zealous, industrious, hard-working;
studious, thoughtful, cerebral, deep, profound, bookish, donnish
devout, heartfelt, wholehearted, sincere, impassioned, deeply felt, from the heart, fervent, ardent, passionate, intense, burning, urgent
rare full-hearted, passional, perfervid, fervid
Phrases
in earnest
Origin
Old English eornoste (adjective), eornost (noun), of Germanic origin; related to German Ernst (noun).
Rhymes
earnest2
/ˈəːnɪst/noun [in singular]
A thing intended or regarded as a sign or promise of what is to come: the very deliberateness of their disguise is an earnest of their real aloofness...
- It is but a trifle that Sauron fancies, and an earnest of your good will.
- It was a touching tribute never since accorded to any other author, and an earnest of the esteem in which he was held.
Origin
Middle English ernes, literally 'instalment paid to confirm a contract', based on Old French erres, from Latin arra, shortened form of arrabo 'a pledge'. The spelling was influenced by words ending in -ness; the final -t is probably by association with earnest1.