earnest Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
  2. adjective satellite characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
    solemn; sincere.
    • both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate
    • an entirely sincere and cruel tyrant
    • a film with a solemn social message
  3. adjective satellite earnest
    dear; heartfelt; devout.
    • one's dearest wish
    • devout wishes for their success
    • heartfelt condolences
  4. adjective satellite not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal
    businesslike.

WordNet

Ear"nest noun
Etymology
AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. to excite, L. oriri to rise.
Definitions
  1. Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
    Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. Sir P. Sidney.
    And given in earnest what I begged in jest. Shak.
Ear"nest adjective
Definitions
  1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
    An earnest advocate to plead for him. Shak.
  2. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
  3. Serious; important. Obs.
    They whom earnest lets do often hinder. Hooker.
    Syn. -- Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager.
Ear"nest transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To use in earnest. R.
    To earnest them [our arms] with men. Pastor Fido (1602).
Ear"nest noun
Etymology
Prob. corrupted fr. F. arrhes, L. arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr. , of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. ravn; or perh. fr. W. ernes, akin to Gael. earlas, perh. fr. L. arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny.
Definitions
  1. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
    Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 2 Cor. i. 22.
    And from his coffers Received the golden earnest of our death. Shak.
  2. (Law) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. Kent. Ayliffe. Benjamin. Syn. -- Earnest, Pledge. These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph.

Webster 1913