English

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Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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Adverb

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earnestly (comparative more earnestly, superlative most earnestly)

  1. In an earnest manner; being very sincere; putting forth genuine effort.
    • 1900, L. Frank Baum, chapter 23, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz:
      The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion now thanked the Good Witch earnestly for her kindness; and Dorothy exclaimed:

Synonyms

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Translations

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Anagrams

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