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Ernest vs Earnest - What's the difference?

ernest | earnest |

As proper nouns the difference between ernest and earnest

is that ernest is a given name derived from Germanic; popular in the 19th century while Earnest is a given name derived from Germanic, an occasional spelling variant of Ernest.

As nouns the difference between ernest and earnest

is that ernest is obsolete form of lang=en while earnest is gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.

As a verb earnest is

to be serious with; use in earnest.

As an adjective earnest is

serious in speech or action; eager; urgent; importunate; pressing; instant.

ernest

English

Proper noun

(en proper noun)
  • ; popular in the 19th century.
  • * 1895 Oscar Wilde: The Importance of Being Earnest :
    • GWENDOLEN. --, and my ideal has always been to love someone in the name of Ernest . There is something in that name that inspires absolute confidence.
  • * 1980 P.D.James: Innocent Blood :
    • "What's his name, your boyfriend?" "Ernest. Ernest' Hemingway." The name was received in disparaging silence. Marlene said: "You wouldn't get me going out with a feller called '''Ernest'''. My granddad was ' Ernest ."

    Related terms

    * pet form: Ernie * female given name: Ernestine

    Anagrams

    * ----

    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

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