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earnest — showing sincere and intense conviction; serious in intention, purpose, or effort

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: showing sincere and intense conviction; serious in intention, purpose, or effort

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɜːrnɪst/

Example Sentences

  • My mom's earnest advice about eating vegetables turned me into a rabbit.
  • His earnest attempt to impress his date by ordering in French backfired when he accidentally ordered dog food.
  • The negotiations began in earnest after both sides agreed to stop throwing papers at each other.

earnest

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈɜːrnɪst/]

showing sincere and intense conviction; serious in intention, purpose, or effort

While the class threw paper airplanes, the boy leaned forward with an earnest face to read the book.
💡 Concept

While the class threw paper airplanes, the boy leaned forward with an earnest face to read the book.

EARN(get) + EST(most) — to EARN the biggEST gem, he swung his pickaxe with an earnest attitude.
🧠 Mnemonic

EARN(get) + EST(most) — to EARN the biggEST gem, he swung his pickaxe with an earnest attitude.

Even the sternest general was moved by the young soldier's earnest effort.
🎵 Rhyme

Even the sternest general was moved by the young soldier's earnest effort.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɜːrnɪst/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɜːnɪst/

🌳Etymology

Rootearnest

Origin

From Old English 'eornost' and Old Saxon 'ernest', related to Germanic roots meaning 'vigor' or 'seriousness'. The word may be connected to Proto-Germanic '*arnustiz', though the ultimate origin is uncertain.

Breakdown

earn- (root meaning vigor/seriousness) + -est (superlative or emphatic suffix) = earnest (most serious/sincere)

🎵Rhyme

Ernestturnedlearnedburned
Ernest
turned
learned
burned

🔗Collocations

earnest money
earnest effort
in earnest
earnest plea
earnest student
earnest conversation
earnest request

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mom's earnest advice about eating vegetables turned me into a rabbit.”

😄 Fun example

“His earnest attempt to impress his date by ordering in French backfired when he accidentally ordered dog food.”

😄 Fun example

“The negotiations began in earnest after both sides agreed to stop throwing papers at each other.”

“She made an earnest promise to help the community.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

sincereseriousgenuineheartfeltsolemn

Antonyms

insincerefrivolouscasual

Related

earnestlyearnestnessferventzealous

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