What is the Latin word for earnest?

The usual Latin words for “earnest” are sevērus, sērius, gravis; also austērus, ācer, ārdeō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“earnest” in Latin

sevērussevere, serious, strict, stern, stringent, austere, harsh, grave (in demeanor)sēriusgrave; earnest; serious gravisheavy; pregnant; troublesome, hard austērusaustere, plain; harsh, bitter, sour; sharp, pungent, tart ācersharp, sour, bitter, pungent; keen, sharp, acute, sagacious; energetic, active, vigorous ārdeōto burn (be consumed by fire); to glow; to glisten with a feature, usually with a colour fervidusboiling, seething; glowing; boiling hot; fiery; fervid ferveōto be hot; to burn; to boil; seethe, foam caliduswarm, hot; fiery, fierce, vehement; spirited, impassioned vehemēnsvery eager; impetuous, ardent, furious; vehement; emphatic

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

earnest

severus: serius (severus, who makes no joke; serius, what is no joke. In classical writers only severus of persons, and then IMPROP. of things, considered with reference to the impression they make; as, severa oratio; whereas seria oratio would be a speech made in earnest. Also severus denotes earnestness as seated in the mind. But severus also supplies the place of serius, especially in severior, severissimus, severitas, since there are no corresponding forms from serius, Döderlein): gravis (serious; of persons or things that produce an impression by their constancy, earnestness of purpose, quiet firmness, etc.). (The words are found in this connection and order.) gravis seriusque: austerus [SYN. in AUSTERE]. Sometimes verus (true), non simulatus (not pretended). An earnest character, severitas: gravitas: austeritas (SYN. in EARNESTNESS): to speak in an earnest tone, severe cum aliquo sermonem conferre (cf., Titinn. ap. Non., 509, 19): to put on an earnest look, vultum ad severitatem componere, or vultum componere only.

Eager, acer: ardens: fervidus: fervens: calidus: vehemens: earnest prayers, preces acres: precum constantia.

earnest s.

serium (adj.; opposed to what is in joke): serium convertere (Plaut.): to combine joke and earnest, joca et seria agere. In earnest, ex animo: serio: in earnest? bonane fide? to take in earnest what was meant as a joke, quod per jocum dixit aliquis, in serium convertere (Plaut.): to take anything in earnest, or turn anything to earnest, rem in serium vertere: In all earnest, verissime.

Earnest- money, arrha (Dig.); arrhabo (Plaut., Terentianus). To give earnest-money, arrham or arrhabonem dare: to give so much by way of earnest, arrhaboni dare aliquid (Plaut.); arrhae nomine dare aliquid (Dig.). To receive earnest, arrhabonem accipere: to have received an earnest, arrham habere.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for earnest?: The usual Latin words for “earnest” are sevērus, sērius, gravis; also austērus, ācer, ārdeō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.