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Earnest vs Steady - What's the difference?

earnest | steady | Synonyms |

Earnest is a synonym of steady.


As a proper noun earnest

is , an occasional spelling variant of ernest.

As an adjective steady is

firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.

As a verb steady is

to stabilize something; to prevent from shaking.

As a noun steady is

(informal) a regular customer.

earnest

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) ernest, eornest, from (etyl) eornest, eornost, .

Noun

(-)
  • Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
    • Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest .
  • * Shakespeare
    • given in earnest what I begged in jest
  • Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance); fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
    • Derived terms
    * earnestful * in earnest

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To be serious with; use in earnest.
  • * 1602 , Pastor Fido:
    • Let's prove among ourselves our armes in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) eornest, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Serious in speech or action; eager; urgent; importunate; pressing; instant.
  • Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavour; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; — used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers .
  • Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention .
  • Possessing or characterised by seriousness; strongly bent; intent.
    • an earnest disposition
  • Strenuous; diligent.
    • earnest efforts
  • Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; not trifling or feigned; important.
    • Derived terms
    * (l) * (l)

    Etymology 3

    Of uncertain origin; apparently related to (erres). Compare also (l).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.
  • * 1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 365:
    • But if all this was viewed by Gladstone and the Cabinet as an earnest of St Petersburg's future good intentions in Central Asia, then disillusionment was soon to follow.

    See also

    * Earnest * earnest money

    Anagrams

    * * * *

    steady

    English

    Alternative forms

    *

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.
  • :
  • *Sir (Philip Sidney) (1554-1586)
  • *:Their feet steady , their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.
  • *
  • *:But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ΒΆ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window,.
  • *
  • *:Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile?; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.
  • Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute.
  • :
  • Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.
  • :
  • Regular and even.
  • :
  • Slow.

    • Antonyms

    * unsteady

    Derived terms

    * go steady * going steady * * rock-steady * steadily * steadiness * steady as she goes * steady on * steady state

    Verb

  • To stabilize something; to prevent from shaking.

    • Noun

    (steadies)
  • (informal) A regular customer.
  • * 2013 , Sheila Foster, Soho Whore
    • Some of my steadies wanted me to go out with them on a date. Occasionally I let one of them take me to a film or out for a meal.

    External links

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    Anagrams

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