Pronunciation: /ˈɜːrnɪst/

Definitions of earnest

noun a serious and intent mental state

Example Sentences

A1 She spoke with earnest about her love for animals.

A2 The child's earnest plea for a new toy was hard to resist.

B1 His earnest desire to succeed in his career was evident in his hard work.

B2 The politician's earnest promises to improve education were met with skepticism.

C1 The author's earnest exploration of human nature in his novels has garnered critical acclaim.

C2 Her earnest commitment to social justice issues has inspired many to take action.

adjective serious in intention, purpose, or effort; showing depth and sincerity

Example Sentences

A1 She was very earnest in her efforts to learn English.

A2 The students listened earnestly to the teacher's instructions.

B1 He spoke in an earnest tone, showing his sincerity.

B2 The politician made an earnest promise to improve healthcare for all citizens.

C1 The CEO's earnest commitment to sustainability led to significant changes within the company.

C2 Her earnest desire to make a difference in the world inspired others to join her cause.

Examples of earnest in a Sentence

formal The candidate spoke with earnest determination during the debate.

informal I could tell by his earnest expression that he really meant what he was saying.

slang She's always so earnest about everything, it's kind of endearing.

figurative His earnest efforts to improve the situation did not go unnoticed.

Grammatical Forms of earnest

past tense

earned

plural

earnests

comparative

more earnest

superlative

most earnest

present tense

earnest

future tense

will earnest

perfect tense

have earnest

continuous tense

is earnest

singular

earnest

positive degree

earnest

infinitive

to earnest

gerund

earning

participle

earnest

Origin and Evolution of earnest

First Known Use: 1200 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'earnest' originated from the Old English word 'eornost', which means serious or zealous intent.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'earnest' has evolved to also connote sincerity, honesty, and a genuine commitment to something.