earnest

/ˈɝnɪst/

Say it: UR-nist

1. adjective Resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction; serious in intention or effort.
She made an earnest attempt to understand the complex philosophical text.
2. noun A thing intended or regarded as a token of what is to come; a pledge or guarantee.
The initial success was an earnest of the greater victories to follow.

📖 Seen in the wild

Her earnest plea for help convinced the jury of her innocence.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ earnest in a sentence

The negotiations began in earnest after the preliminary agreements were signed.
He looked at me with such an earnest expression that I knew he was telling the truth.
Her book is an earnest exploration of the challenges facing modern families.
Despite his jokes, he was in deadly earnest about protecting his friends.
The candidate's earnest plea for unity resonated with voters from both parties.
I appreciate your earnest feedback, even if it's difficult to hear.
The work on the new stadium will begin in earnest next spring.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

sincere serious heartfelt solemn ardent fervent zealous committed

sincere · focuses on genuineness and freedom from pretense, while earnest adds an element of intensity and serious effort.

serious · describes a lack of frivolity, whereas earnest highlights a person's heartfelt and dedicated intention.

heartfelt · emphasizes deep personal emotion, which may not be tied to a specific goal, unlike earnest, which usually implies purpose.

solemn · implies a formal gravity, often for a specific ceremony or occasion, which is more specific than the general intensity of earnest.

Opposites: flippant, frivolous, insincere, halfhearted, apathetic

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'earnest' has a dual origin. The adjective, meaning serious, comes from Old English 'eornost', related to the German 'Ernst', and has always carried a sense of gravity and zeal. The less common noun sense, meaning a pledge or down payment, took a different path, entering English from Old French 'erres', which traces back through Latin and Greek to a Semitic word for 'pledge'.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

in earnestan earnest appealan earnest attemptan earnest desirean earnest expressiondeadly earnest

While 'earnest' is a positive word denoting sincerity, it can sometimes suggest a lack of humor or worldliness. It's a solid, slightly formal word for describing sincere effort or belief. The most common use by far is in the phrase 'in earnest', which means 'with full intensity' or 'seriously', as in 'The project will begin in earnest next week.'

Word family: earnestly, earnestness

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to be earnest?

To be earnest is to be serious, sincere, and deeply committed in your intentions or efforts. It implies you are not joking or being casual about something important.

What's the difference between 'earnest' and 'sincere'?

'Sincere' means you are genuine and not pretending. 'Earnest' adds a layer of intensity, seriousness, and dedicated effort to that genuineness. A person can be sincerely wrong, but an earnest effort implies they tried very hard.

What does the phrase 'in earnest' mean?

The phrase 'in earnest' means that an activity has begun with real intensity and seriousness, moving beyond a preliminary or casual stage. For example, 'The search began in earnest at dawn.'

Is 'earnest' a positive or negative word?

It is generally a positive word, praising sincerity and dedication. However, it can sometimes imply that someone is overly serious, humorless, or perhaps a bit naive.

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