earnest
gb/ˈɚnɪst/ us/ˈɚnɪst/
B2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
serious and sincere in attitude
Being very serious and honest about what you say or do.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is earnest about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'earnest' with 'honest'. 'Earnest' means serious and sincere, not just truthful.
Synonyms
serious (More general; can describe situations, tone, or personality without implying sincerity.)
|
sincere (Focuses on honesty and genuineness, without necessarily implying seriousness.)
Antonyms
frivolous (Lacking seriousness or importance.)
|
insincere (Not expressing genuine feelings or intentions.)
Collocations
earnest effort
|earnest desire
|earnest appeal
|in earnest
|earnest expression
Themes
emotions
|communication
|character
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She gave an earnest speech about protecting the environment.
- He looked at her with earnest eyes, hoping she would understand.
- The teacher made an earnest effort to help every student succeed.
- They had an earnest discussion about their future plans.
- His apology was earnest and heartfelt.
Learner examples
- I am earnest about my work.
- She spoke in an earnest voice.
- He made an earnest promise to help.
- They are earnest about learning English.
Noun
formal
C1
state
2
seriousness and sincerity
The quality of being very serious and honest.
Usage pattern:
in earnest
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'earnest' as a noun without the correct preposition, e.g., 'with earnest' instead of 'in earnest'.
Synonyms
seriousness (Neutral; refers to gravity without implying sincerity.)
|
sincerity (Focuses on genuineness rather than seriousness.)
Antonyms
triviality (Lack of seriousness or importance.)
|
insincerity (Lack of genuine feeling or intention.)
Collocations
with earnest
|in earnest
Themes
emotions
|character
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Negotiations began in earnest after both sides agreed to the terms.
- She spoke with great earnest about the need for change.
- His earnest was clear in every word he said.
Learner examples
- The work started in earnest.
- He spoke in great earnest.
- They began the game in earnest.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
deposit given as a sign of commitment
Money paid to show you will keep a deal or buy something.
Usage pattern:
pay [an] earnest [amount]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'earnest money' with a full payment; it is only a part payment showing intention.
Synonyms
deposit (Most common term; used more broadly for any advance payment.)
Antonyms
refund (Money returned when an agreement is canceled.)
Collocations
earnest money
|pay earnest
Themes
business
|law
|finance
Examples
- They put down earnest money to secure the house.
- An earnest was required before the contract could be signed.
- He paid an earnest to show he was serious about buying the car.
Learner examples
- We gave earnest money for the house.
- He paid an earnest before signing.
- They put down an earnest for the car.
Grammar
Dictionary form
earnest
IPA
GB/ˈɚnɪst/
US/ˈɚnɪst/
Syllables & stress
earn - est (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (earn)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: earnest
Noun
- Base: earnest
- Plural: earnest
Word family
Core family
earnestly
adverb B1
earnestness
noun
Expressions
earnest money
1/ˈɚnɪst mˈʌni/
fixed phrase
formal
money paid to show commitment to a deal
Money you pay to show you will buy something, often a house.
Examples
- They gave the seller earnest money to hold the property.
- Earnest money is usually returned if the deal falls through under certain conditions.
in earnest
1/ˈɪn ˈɚnɪst/
fixed phrase
begin seriously or with full effort
To start doing something seriously and with full effort.
Examples
- The meeting began in earnest after everyone arrived.
- Training will start in earnest next week.