DictionaryAI

earnest

SayUR-nist/ˈɝ.nɪst/UK/ˈɜː.nɪst/

Noun pluralearnests (some meanings)

7 meanings of earnest

Practice

  1. 1
    sincereadjective
    Serious and honest, really meaning what you say or do.

    He made an earnest promise to call home every week.

    Her earnest apology made everyone feel better.

    UsageToo earnest can mean too serious, with no fun.

    Similargenuine, unfeigned, heartfelt

    Oppositeinsincere, flippant, frivolous

  2. 2
    noununcountable
    Being serious and meaning it, not joking. Used in 'in earnest'.

    At first they were teasing, but soon the argument was in earnest.

    The game of tag turned into a fight in earnest.

  3. 3
    pledgenouncountable
    Money you pay first as a deposit, or a sign that more of something is coming.

    The buyers paid a deposit of earnest money to hold the house.

    Her first good grade was an earnest of better things to come.

    UsageSay earnest money for a deposit on a house.

    Similarpledge, token, guarantee, deposit

    Note
  4. 4
    really wantingadjective
    Truly eager to get or do something, and fixed on that goal.

    She was earnest about learning to swim before the summer.

    The students were earnest in their wish to help the flood victims.

    UsageSay she was earnest about learning.

    Similarfervent, sincere, ardent

    Oppositehalfhearted, insincere

  5. 5
    adjective
    Done with a lot of effort and attention, in a serious, determined way.

    After weeks of earnest practice, she could play the whole song.

    The whole town made an earnest effort to clean up the park.

    UsageSay earnest efforts or earnest practice.

    Similardetermined, serious, intense, concerted, diligent

    Oppositehalfhearted, perfunctory, casual, cursory

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To use something for real, not just for practice or fun.
    Let's prove among ourselves our armes in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use.
    1602, Pastor FidoHere, earnest means to use something seriously, for real, not in play.
    Note
  2. 7
    adjectivearchaic
    Very serious or important.

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–2, 4–6

It comes from the Old English word eornest, meaning “seriousness” or “zeal”.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Earnest ultimately comes from Old English eornest, a noun meaning seriousness or zeal. lrc.la.utexas.edu
Meaning 3

No one is sure. It seems linked to old French and Scots words for money paid to seal a deal.