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Glite Dictionary
earnestness

earnestness

8 4.9
A serious, sincere feeling that shows you really care and try hard
  • noun
  • /ˈɜrnɪstnəs/
: seriedad
  • The teacher appreciated the student's earnestness when he asked for help understanding the assignment.
  • earnestness and sincerity

There is a like a lack of earnestness, especially amongst young people.

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Examples

  • The simplicity and earnestness of the image took his breath away.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • His steadiness of purpose, his earnestness, and sober plans had meant little to her.

    Blog text (28)

  • "I like you, too," Bobby said, with the earnestness of a little kid.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • The comment reveals the nature of her earnestness and her style.

    Academic text (1998)

  • I'm sure they would smile and approve of your earnestness if they were still around.

    Blog text (5)

  • Fran had to strain to make sense of it, but she was touched by the earnestness.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • It's a little bit hokey, but there's an earnestness in this attempt at poetry.

    Blog text (28)

  • "I want to be." Gillian's expression, her tone, conveyed her earnestness.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The work of spiritualism will rouse humanity... to a new, moral earnestness.

    The Illusionist (2006)

  • Lindsey drawled into the frigid air, eyes blazing with earnestness, perma-smile dazzling.

    Academic text (2007)

Synonyms

sincerity
vsearnestness
65 3.1

A feeling of being honest and not pretending

adds clear sustained commitment and purposeful effort beyond simple honesty
seriousness
vsearnestness
53 2.7

A calm and honest way of speaking or acting that shows you mean what you say

emphasizes committed effort and clear personal dedication over mere calmness
genuineness
vsearnestness
2 4.0

The state of being real and sincere

stresses committed purposeful effort and solemn intent more than mere authenticity
wholeheartedness
vsearnestness
1 6.2

Complete and sincere enthusiasm and strong commitment to something

is steadier and less overtly enthusiastic while remaining committed
serious-mindedness
vsearnestness
1 6.5

Being careful and thoughtful about important things

prioritizes active committed effort rather than thoughtful deliberation

Antonyms

frivolity
9 6.7

Light, silly behavior that is not serious

insincerity
4 5.6

Not showing true feelings when you speak or act

How Earnest

zeal
35 5.8
ardor
  • US
6 7.5
earnestness
8 4.9
sincerity
65 3.1

Surface Forms

earnestness singular
earnestnesses plural

Morphology

earnestness = earnest (transparent) = earnest + ness

The suffix '-ness' forms a noun indicating the state or quality of being earnest.

Etymology

Earnestness comes from an old English word eornost, which meant 'seriousness' or a strong 'desire', and it is the same idea as the adjective earnest. So, earnestness is showing true, serious feeling and real commitment.