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earnest

1 earnest /ˈɚnəst/ adjective
1 earnest
/ˈɚnəst/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of EARNEST
[more earnest; most earnest]
: serious and sincere : not lighthearted or playful

— earnestness

/ˈɚnəstnəs/ noun [noncount]
2 earnest /ˈɚnəst/ noun
2 earnest
/ˈɚnəst/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of EARNEST

in earnest

: in an earnest or serious way
: not fooling : serious and sincere
compare for real at 1real