Word: earnest (adjective)

Associations

The word "earnest" means being sincere and serious in intentions or feelings. When someone is earnest, they are genuinely trying to achieve something and are not joking or playing around.

• Example 1: She made an earnest effort to improve her skills in painting. This shows that she was serious and sincere about wanting to get better.
• Example 2: His earnest apology made everyone feel better after the argument. This explains that his apology was sincere and heartfelt.
• Example 3: During the meeting, they had an earnest discussion about the future of the project. This indicates that the conversation was serious and focused on important matters.

A well-known synonym for "earnest" is "serious." The main difference is that "earnest" implies a serious intention or sincerity behind one's actions, while "serious" can just mean being focused without the emotional connection.

Substitution

Some other words or phrases that can be used instead of "earnest" include:

• Sincere: This suggests honesty in feelings but may not carry the same weight as "earnest."
• Solemn: This means serious but often has a formal or grave connotation.
• Passionate: This implies strong feelings but might not always mean seriousness.

Deconstruction

The root of "earnest" comes from the Old English word "earnaest," meaning "vigor" or "seriousness." There are no prefixes or suffixes in this word.

Historically, "earnest" has connections to the Middle Ages, where it represented a pledge or token of promise, indicating a commitment to seriousness.

Inquiry

Think about times when you felt earnest about something.

• Can you recall a situation where you showed earnestness? What was it about?
• How do you think being earnest affects your relationships with others?
• In what situations do you believe people should be more earnest? Why?