All 5 Uses

earnest
in
Sweet Far Thing
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I so much preferred The Importance of Being Earnest.†
Chpt 2

earnest = sincere or serious
"We very much enjoyed your performance," Ann says earnestly.†
Chpt 2 *

earnestly = sincerely or seriously
Ann, you aren't in earnest about the stage, are you?†
Chpt 2

in earnest = serious; or in a serious manner
He's so earnest, and for a second, I should like to lay down my arms and kiss him.†
Chpt 4

earnest = sincere or serious
On the contrary, I have never been more in earnest.†
Chpt 4

in earnest = serious; or in a serious manner

Definitions:

(1) (earnest)
characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
Earnest can also be used as a name (variant spelling of Ernest), or to signify the seriousness of a pledge made (as when earnest money is included with an offer to purchase a home).