sérieux → « She was approached by an earnest young man from the University. » sincère → « It is my earnest wish that you use this money to further your research. » to be in earnest = être sérieux → « Is the Minister in earnest about these proposals? → No one could tell whether he was in earnest or in jest. » an earnest of sth = un gage de qch → « Viewing this as an earnest of what they were to expect. » as an earnest of sth = en gage de qch →« as an earnest of his commitment to root-and-branch reform. » in earnest = sérieusement, pour de bon → « to do sth in earnest » → « Then she started crying in earnest. »