1. Sincerely intended and with strong feeling
   "one's most earnest wish";
   - dear, devout, heartfelt
    
2. Characterized by a firm and humourless belief in the validity of your opinions
   "both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate";
   - sincere, solemn
    
3. Not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal
   "His earnest approach to studying impressed his professors";
   - businesslike

1. Something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
   "He paid earnest money to secure the purchase of the house"

Derived forms: earnests

See also: purposeful, serious, sincere

Type of: security, surety

Encyclopedia: Earnest, KS