earnest1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈəːnɪst/

adjective

  • resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction: an earnest student two girls were in earnest conversation

Phrases

in earnest

to a greater extent or more intensely than before: work began again in earnest
(of a person) sincere and serious in intention: Cameron looked at him to make sure he was in earnest

Derivatives

earnestness

noun

Origin:

Old English eornoste (adjective), eornost (noun), of Germanic origin; related to German Ernst (noun)

Spelling help

Remember that earnest begins with ea-.

make earnest efforts to be active.