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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/
translation icon : 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
71 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
3 4.0

The state of being real and sincere

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

Complete and sincere enthusiasm and strong commitment to something

is steadier and less overtly enthusiastic while remaining committed
serious-mindedness
vsearnestness
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
36 5.8
ardor
  • US
7 7.5
earnestness
8 4.9
sincerity
71 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.