earnest

认真的、正经的、严肃的

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

她是个认真的学生，从不缺课。

诚挚的、真切的、恳切的

He made an earnest appeal for help after the flood.

水灾过后，他恳切地向外界请求援助。

定金、订金法律

The buyer paid an earnest to secure the property.

买方付了一笔定金以保留这间房产。

认真地、全力地、正式地in earnest

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

新桥的工程上个月终于正式动工。

当真、不是开玩笑in earnest

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

我以为他在开玩笑，但他是当真的。