The adjective and the noun for serious purpose come from Old English eornost, meaning seriousness or zeal. The pledge noun has a separate history through Middle English ernes, Old French erres, and Latin arra, a pledge.
The adjective and the noun for serious purpose come from Old English eornost, meaning seriousness or zeal. The pledge noun has a separate history through Middle English ernes, Old French erres, and Latin arra, a pledge.
What does earnest mean?
Earnest usually describes someone or something that is serious, sincere, and determined.
What does in earnest mean?
In earnest means seriously, sincerely, or with full effort rather than as a joke or trial.
How do you pronounce earnest?
In General American English, earnest is pronounced /ˈɝnɪst/.
What is the difference between earnest and serious?
Both can mean not joking, but earnest more strongly suggests sincere belief or determined purpose.
Can earnest be a noun?
Yes. It can mean serious intention, and an older separate noun means a pledge or advance payment.
Where does earnest come from?
Its serious senses come from Old English eornost. The pledge sense came by a separate route from words meaning a pledge.