earnest
Gravely intent, wholehearted
Earnest describes serious intent and sincere conviction.
An earnest student applies genuine effort.
An earnest plea comes from the heart.
To begin in earnest is to start with full commitment after preliminary steps: After months of planning, construction began in earnest.
The word suggests authenticity but can imply a lack of humor or lightness—calling someone earnest isn't always a compliment.
Weighty and requiring attention
- graveSerious and worrying
- solemnSerious and dignified
- soberFree from intoxication
- thoughtfulShowing careful consideration
weighty · somber · sedate · pensive · reflective · contemplative · deliberate · measured
Genuinely felt, not feigned
- genuineTruly what it claims
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
- authenticVerified as original
- unfeignedAuthentically felt, not pretended
honest · truthful · candid · frank · forthright · guileless · transparent · artless
Intensely and sincerely felt
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
- ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
- zealousPassionately eager and active
- eagerIntensely wanting something
enthusiastic · impassioned · vehement · intense · fiery · burning · fervid · wholehearted
Wholly committed to something
- committedFirmly pledged or bound
- devotedLoyally and lovingly attached
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- assiduousShowing careful persistent effort
industrious · hardworking · conscientious · persevering · steadfast · tenacious · determined · resolute
Vertical or morally sound
- honorableHaving high moral standards
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- moralConcerning right conduct
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
righteous · virtuous · scrupulous · high-minded · incorruptible · conscientious · dutiful · responsible
serious
Weighty and requiring attention
thoughtful · weighty · somber · sedate · pensive · reflective · contemplative · deliberate · measured · considered
sincere
Genuinely felt, not feigned
unfeigned · honest · truthful · candid · frank · forthright · guileless · transparent · artless · ingenuous
fervent
Intensely and sincerely felt
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
- ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
- zealousPassionately eager and active
eager · enthusiastic · impassioned · vehement · intense · fiery · burning · fervid · wholehearted · spirited
dedicated
Wholly committed to something
- committedFirmly pledged or bound
- devotedLoyally and lovingly attached
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
assiduous · industrious · hardworking · conscientious · persevering · steadfast · tenacious · determined · resolute · unwavering
upright
Vertical or morally sound
- honorableHaving high moral standards
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- moralConcerning right conduct
ethical · righteous · virtuous · scrupulous · high-minded · incorruptible · conscientious · dutiful · responsible · trustworthy
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- sentimentalitymawkish, schmaltzy, saccharine, treacly, cloying
- Candor Phrasesto be honest, truth be told, honestly, frankly, to tell the truth
- genuinegenuine, authentic, real, sincere, true
- seriousness descriptorsserious, grave, solemn, somber, stern
- sinceritysincerity, sincere, genuine, genuineness, honesty
earnestfrivolous
Not worthy of attention
flippant · playful · joking · jocular · lighthearted
earnestinsincere
Feigning belief or feeling
disingenuous · feigned · affected · phony · hollow
earnesthalfhearted
Lacking sincere commitment
half-hearted · apathetic · indifferent · unenthusiastic · unconcerned
- in earnestWith serious purpose
- The Importance of Being EarnestVictorian comedy of manners
- earned one's stripesGained status through effort
- wage earnerPaid labor participant
- earned one's keepRepaid one's upkeep
- earned one's wingsProved oneself capable
earned, earnestly, earnestness, earner, unearned, earnest money