earnest
1 Americanadjective
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serious and zealous in intention, purpose, or effort.
an earnest worker.
- Synonyms:
- ambitious, industrious, determined, purposeful, intent, fervent
- Antonyms:
- frivolous
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showing depth and sincerity of feeling.
earnest words; an earnest entreaty.
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seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention.
noun
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seriousness and zealousness.
to speak in earnest.
noun
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a portion of something, given or done in advance as a pledge of the remainder.
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Law. earnest money.
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anything that gives pledge, promise, or indication of what is to follow.
adjective
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serious in mind or intention
an earnest student
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showing or characterized by sincerity of intention
an earnest promise
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demanding or receiving serious attention
noun
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seriousness
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with serious or sincere intentions
noun
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a part or portion of something given in advance as a guarantee of the remainder
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Also called: earnest money. contract law something given, usually a nominal sum of money, to confirm a contract
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any token of something to follow; pledge; assurance
-
see in earnest.
Related Words
Earnest, resolute, serious, sincere imply having qualities of depth and firmness. Earnest implies having a purpose and being steadily and soberly eager in pursuing it: an earnest student. Resolute adds a quality of determination: resolute in defending the right. Serious implies having depth and a soberness of attitude that contrasts with gaiety and frivolity; it may include the qualities of both earnestness and resolution: serious and thoughtful. Sincere suggests genuineness, trustworthiness, and absence of superficiality: a sincere interest in music.
Other Word Forms
- earnestly adverb
- earnestness noun
Etymology
Origin of earnest1
First recorded before 1000; Middle English erneste, Old English eornoste (adjective); Middle English ernest, Old English eornost (noun); cognate with Dutch, German ernest
Origin of earnest2
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ernes(t), alteration of Old French erres, plural of erre “earnest money,” from Latin arr(h)a, short for arr(h)abō (perhaps by misunderstanding -bō as a future tense ending; placebo ( def. ) ), from Greek arrhabṓn, from Semitic (compare Hebrew ʿērāvôn “security, pledge”); arras 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I paused, looked at the seat and then back at his hopeful, earnest face.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
She landed first at Beverly Hills, 90210, where she learned she was a comedy writer because she kept coming up with jokes for an earnest drama that needed serious material.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
While the war in Iran lately has instilled volatility in the market, the software selloff began in earnest at the end of January.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
Development of its massive resources began in earnest in the 1980s.
From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026
I’d lived with earnest and well-intentioned concerns for our safety since almost the day Barack first decided to run for president.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.