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Added 9 October 2026

earnest

/ˈɝ.nɪst/ noun

In Latin: avidus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about earnest at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract.

adjective

Characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions.
both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate
Sincerely earnest.
one's dearest wish
Not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal.

Origin

From Middle English ernest, eornest, from Old English eornest, eornost, eornust (“earnestness, zeal, seriousness, battle”), from Proto-Germanic *ernustuz (“earnest, strength, solidity, struggle, fight”), a derivative of Proto-Germanic *arniz (“efficient, capable, diligent, sure”), from Proto-Indo-European *er- (“to cause to move, arouse, increase”). Cognate with West Frisian earnst (“earnest, seriousness”), Dutch ernst (“seriousness, gravity, earnest”), German Ernst (“seriousness, earnestness, zeal, vigour”), Icelandic ern (“brisk, vigorous”), Gothic 𐌰𐍂𐌽𐌹𐌱𐌰 (arniba, “secure, certain, sure”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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