How to Pronounce Earnest

To pronounce "earnest", say EARN-est — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈɜːnɪst/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

earnest

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Accent

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Speed

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2

Syllables

7

Letters

/ˈɜːnɪst/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “earnest”

"earnest" has 2 syllables: earn-est. It rhymes with internist and ernest, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: ernest — easy to mix up when writing.

What does earnest mean?

noun

  1. Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
  2. Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to joking or pretence)

verb

  1. To be serious with; use in earnest.

adjective

  1. (said of an action or an utterance) Serious or honest
  2. (with a positive sense) Focused in the pursuit of an objective; eager to obtain or do.

    “earnest prayers”

Hear “earnest” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with earnest

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

internisterneststernest

Related words

sincereheartfeltpurposefuldearbusinesslikedevoutserioussolemn

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "earnest"?▾

"Earnest" has 2 syllables: earn · est.

What is the IPA transcription of "earnest"?▾

The IPA transcription of "earnest" is /ˈɜːnɪst/.

What does "earnest" mean?▾

Earnest: Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.

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