earnest

認真的、正經的、嚴肅的

She is an earnest student who never misses a single class.

她是個認真的學生，從不缺課。

誠摯的、真切的、懇切的

He made an earnest appeal for help after the flood.

水災過後，他懇切地向外界請求援助。

定金、訂金法律

The buyer paid an earnest to secure the property.

買方付了一筆定金以保留這間房產。

認真地、全力地、正式地in earnest

Construction on the new bridge finally began in earnest last month.

新橋的工程上個月終於正式動工。

當真、不是開玩笑in earnest

I thought he was joking, but he was in earnest.

我以為他在開玩笑，但他是當真的。