in earnest
adverb
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L192552 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
adj
Etymology: Dates back at least to Old English on eornost, of the same meaning of the adverbial sense below.
- Sincere; determined; truthful.
“"I wasn't in earnest. I only brought it in joke."”
“She replied, "When did I ever tell you a lie ? I am in earnest."”
adv
Etymology: Dates back at least to Old English on eornost, of the same meaning of the adverbial sense below.
- With considerable commitment, determination, or effect; significantly.
“It's snowing in earnest right now.”
“The gentlemen wear swords, and may easily have pistols in their pockets—most likely have, indeed. If they fire at each other without effect, then they’ll draw, and go to work in earnest.”
- Having a sincere intent. (of a person)
“He was talking in earnest, even though his speech carried an ironic tone.”