earnest 1
— earnestly , adv. — earnestness , n.
/err"nist/ , adj.
1. serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous: an earnest worker.
2. showing depth and sincerity of feeling: earnest words; an earnest entreaty.
3. seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention.
n.
4. full seriousness, as of intention or purpose: to speak in earnest.
[ bef. 1000; ME erneste, OE eornoste (adj.); ME ernest, OE eornost (n.); c. D, G ernest ]
Syn. 1. fervent, intent, purposeful, determined, industrious, ambitious. 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.
Ant. 1. frivolous.
earnest 2
/err"nist/ , n.
1. a portion of something, given or done in advance as a pledge of the remainder.
2. Law. See earnest money .
3. anything that gives pledge, promise, or indication of what is to follow.
[ 1175-1225; ME ernes ( t ), alter. of OF erres, pl. of ERRE earnest money arr ( h ) a short for arr ( h ) abo (perh. by taking -bo as a future tense ending) arrhabón erabhon security, pledge). Cf. ARRAS 2 ]