1.
With purposeful or sincere intent, as in We settled down to study in earnest. [c.
a.d.
1000]
2.
Also,
in dead earnest. Serious, determined, as in We thought he was joking, but he was in earnest, or I'm in dead earnest about selling the business. In the variant, from the late 1800s,
dead means "completely" or "thoroughly" and is used purely for emphasis. [c.
a.d.
1000]
in earnest
| Idioms: in earnest |
| WordNet: in earnest |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The adjective has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
Synonyms: earnest, sincere, solemn
The adverb in earnest has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
in a serious manner
Synonyms: seriously, earnestly
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Copyrights:
 |
 | Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
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