earnest - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'earnest' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Earnest

[ a.]

- Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
- Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
- Serious; important.

2 . Earnest

[ n.]

- Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
- Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
- Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.

3 . Earnest

[ v. t.]

- To use in earnest.

Meaning of 'earnest' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . earnest

[ s]

Meaning (1):
- characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

Example in sentence:

a film with a solemn social message;
an entirely sincere and cruel tyrant;
both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate

Meaning (2):
- sincerely earnest

Example in sentence:

devout wishes for their success;
heartfelt condolences;
one's dearest wish

Nearby Words:

ear ear-bored ear-piercer ear-shell ear-splitting earable earache earal earcap earcockle

See 'earnest' also in:

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Earnest Money
Earnest Money is the deposit that a buyer pays to a seller while purchasing a house. It shows a buyer’s commitment...

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