Dictionary.com

earnestly

[ ur-nist-lee ]
/ ˈɜr nɪst li /
Save This Word!

adverb
with deep and sincere feeling; seriously: After earnestly delivering a sermon on helping people in need, the pastor was gratified to see the record number of donations to the shelter.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of earnestly

First recorded before 1000; earnest1 + -ly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use earnestly in a sentence

FEEDBACK