earnest
gb/ˈɚnɪst/ us/ˈɚnɪst/
B2
Anglais
~ 2000
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B2
property
1
serious and sincere in attitude
Being very serious and honest about what you say or do.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is earnest about [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'earnest' with 'honest'. 'Earnest' means serious and sincere, not just truthful.
Synonymes
serious (More general; can describe situations, tone, or personality without implying sincerity.)
|
sincere (Focuses on honesty and genuineness, without necessarily implying seriousness.)
Antonymes
frivolous (Lacking seriousness or importance.)
|
insincere (Not expressing genuine feelings or intentions.)
Collocations
earnest effort
|earnest desire
|earnest appeal
|in earnest
|earnest expression
Thèmes
emotions
|communication
|character
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Nom
formal
C1
state
2
seriousness and sincerity
The quality of being very serious and honest.
Schéma d’usage :
in earnest
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may use 'earnest' as a noun without the correct preposition, e.g., 'with earnest' instead of 'in earnest'.
Synonymes
seriousness (Neutral; refers to gravity without implying sincerity.)
|
sincerity (Focuses on genuineness rather than seriousness.)
Antonymes
triviality (Lack of seriousness or importance.)
|
insincerity (Lack of genuine feeling or intention.)
Collocations
with earnest
|in earnest
Thèmes
emotions
|character
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The work started in earnest.
- He spoke in great earnest.
- They began the game in earnest.
Nom
formal
C1
entity
3
deposit given as a sign of commitment
Money paid to show you will keep a deal or buy something.
Schéma d’usage :
pay [an] earnest [amount]
Erreur fréquente :
Some learners confuse 'earnest money' with a full payment; it is only a part payment showing intention.
Synonymes
deposit (Most common term; used more broadly for any advance payment.)
Antonymes
refund (Money returned when an agreement is canceled.)
Collocations
earnest money
|pay earnest
Thèmes
business
|law
|finance
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- We gave earnest money for the house.
- He paid an earnest before signing.
- They put down an earnest for the car.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
earnest
API
GB/ˈɚnɪst/
US/ˈɚnɪst/
Syllabes et accentuation
earn - est (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (earn)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: earnest
Noun
- Base: earnest
- Plural: earnest
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- The meeting began in earnest after everyone arrived.
- Training will start in earnest next week.