EARNESTLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does earnestly mean? 

• EARNESTLY (adverb)
  The adverb EARNESTLY has 1 sense:

1. in a serious manner

  Familiarity information: EARNESTLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EARNESTLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a serious manner

Synonyms:

earnestly; in earnest; seriously

Context example:

a play dealing seriously with the question of divorce

Pertainym:

earnest (characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions)

 Context examples 

The little parlour-maid came out, with the key in her hand; and looking earnestly at me as she unlocked the gate, said: I beg your pardon, sir. Are you ill?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I agree with you with all my heart," I answered earnestly, for I did not want him to weaken in this matter.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

For ten minutes I had watched her talking earnestly with the engineer, and now, with a sign for silence, I drew her out of earshot of the helmsman.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“I should be proud to feel that we were acting together, Mr. Holmes,” said the inspector, earnestly.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I am so delighted that you have come,” she said earnestly.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I believe every single word he said to you was the truth, said he, earnestly, and, mind you, I have something to go on when I speak like that.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Beth spoke earnestly, and Meg promised she would go tomorrow.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

And again she earnestly conjured me to give up all thoughts of going out with her brother.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

John pored long and earnestly over the inscription upon the back, with his brows bent as one who bears up against great mental strain.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He had been seen talking earnestly to Madame on the promenade by the lake.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)