Earnest
/ˈɜrnɪst/
adjectivenounB2
Definition
Earnest describes someone who is very serious, sincere, and focused on what they say or do. It means they really mean what they express and are not joking or careless. As a noun, earnest can mean a sign or promise that something important will happen in the future.
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⚡ See It in Action
Adjective: Serious and sincere in feeling or intention
- •She gave an earnest apology for being late.
- •He spoke in an earnest tone about helping the community.
- •The student was earnest about learning English.
Noun: A sign or promise of something to come
- •They gave an earnest to show they wanted to buy the car.
- •The earnest of his success was clear in his hard work.
- •As an earnest, she handed over a small deposit for the apartment.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "earnest" like "serious," but with a warm, honest feeling—not just serious, but deeply sincere
- ✓Picture a person speaking with strong eyes and calm voice, showing they truly care about their words
- ✓It's the feeling when a friend promises to help you and you believe them because they look honest and sure
- ✓Sounds like "EAR-nest" → Imagine someone with an "ear" listening carefully and being "nest" safe and calm, meaning they are focused and sincere
- ✓Remember the phrase "in earnest," which means doing something seriously, like studying hard before an exam
- ✓NOT like "joking" or "casual" — earnest means serious and honest, not playful or careless
- ✓NOT like "angry" — earnest is calm and sincere, not upset or emotional
- ✓As a noun, earnest is like a small gift or promise that shows you will do something bigger later (like a deposit when buying a house)
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Sincere: honest and true in feelings (Use when you want to emphasize honesty and truthfulness)
- •Devoted: very dedicated and caring (Use when showing strong commitment or love)
- •Solemn: very serious and formal (Use when the mood is serious and respectful, often in ceremonies)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — "earnest" is a whole word
- •Etymology: From Old English "eornost," meaning seriousness or zeal (strong feeling)
- •Historical development: Originally meant serious effort or desire; over time, it added the meaning of honesty and sincerity
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people’s serious and honest feelings or actions, and as a noun meaning a promise or sign of something to come
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How can being earnest help you build trust with others?
•Can someone be earnest but still make mistakes? How does that affect how we see them?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.When she spoke in earnest, everyone ___ she truly cared about the problem.
2.Giving an earnest shows you have ___ to complete a deal or promise.
3.Unlike joking, being earnest means you ___ what you say and mean it.
4.He began studying in earnest ___ the exam was only a week away.
5.An earnest apology often helps ___ a problem between friends.
6.If someone is earnest, they usually show ___ attention and honesty.
7.The small payment was an earnest ___ that he wanted to buy the house.