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Synonyms
ear·nest1 (ûŕnĭst)

[Middle English ernest, from Old English eornoste.]

adjective 

  1. Marked by or showing deep sincerity or seriousness: an earnest gesture of goodwill.
  2. Of an important or weighty nature; grave. See synonyms at serious

idioms

in earnest
With a purposeful or sincere intent: settled down to study in earnest for the examination. Serious; determined: “Both sides are deeply in earnest, with passions that approximate those of civil war” (Conor Cruise O'Brien)

derivatives

eaŕnest·ly
adverb
eaŕnest·ness
noun
ear·nest2 (ûŕnĭst)

[Middle English ernest, variant of ernes, alteration of Old French erres pl. of erre, pledge, from Latin arra, alteration of arrabō, from Greek arrabōn, earnest-money, of Canaanite origin.]

noun 

  1. Money paid in advance as part payment to bind a contract or bargain.
  2. A token of something to come; a promise or an assurance.