ENGLISH
REFERENCE

earnestly

adv.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɝnəstɫi// UK //ˈɜːnəstli// earnest·ly

adv. in a serious and honest way. You use this when someone is trying very hard to do something right or to be sincere.

adv. in a sincere, serious, or earnest manner. Often used to describe the manner in which a request is made or a task is performed.


SIMPLE

He asked for my help earnestly.

CONTEXTUAL

The young student applied for the scholarship earnestly, hoping to prove his dedication to the field.

COMPLEX

The committee listened to the testimony earnestly, aware that the witness's sincerity could significantly influence the final outcome of the investigation.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English ernestly, from Old English eornostlīċe (“earnestly, strictly”), equivalent to earnest + -ly.

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