earnestness UK /ˈɜːnɪstnəs/US /ˈɝnɪstnəs/ noun1 •The quality of being earnest; sincerity; seriousness.22 March 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club The Hunger Gameshttp://www.avclub.com/articles/the-hunger-games,71293/ She’s joined, on the boys’ side, by Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), a baker’s son whose earnestness masks a gift for strategy that Katniss lacks.She spoke with great earnestness about the issue. formsearnestnesses