earnest
UR-nist
/ˈɜːrnɪst/
Resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction.
Focuses on serious, deep commitment and conviction rather than merely stating facts.
The story behind the word. Derived from Old English 'eornoste', meaning serious or zealous fighting. Over centuries, the martial passion broadened into moral passion and heartfelt seriousness.
Word relationships
- sincere: Sincere implies lack of pretense; earnest adds intensity and serious dedication.
- solemn: Solemn emphasizes grave dignity, while earnest emphasizes active passionate sincerity.
- frivolous: Frivolous implies lacking seriousness or purpose.
- flippant: Flippant treats serious matters with disrespect or humor.
Commonly confused with
- earning: Earning relates to making money; earnest relates to intense sincerity.
Word family
- earnestly (adverb): With sincere conviction.
- earnestness (noun): Sincere commitment and gravity.
Collocations
- earnest desire
- earnest effort
- earnest plea
- in dead earnest
Idioms & expressions
- in earnest
Example sentences
- "The student made an earnest plea for an extension on her thesis deadline." Academic plea
- "Despite early setbacks, his earnest desire to help others never waned." Moral commitment
Memory hook
EARN it: An earnest worker earns respect through serious effort. Serious intent from the heart.
When not to use
Do not use for casual or humorous comments.
Fun facts
- Oscar Wilde played on this word's double meaning in his famous play 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.
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