overearnest

adjective
over·​ear·​nest | \ ˌō-vər-ˈər-nəst How to pronounce overearnest (audio) \

Definition of overearnest

: excessively earnest or serious an overearnest scholar an overearnest expression on his face If we look back at our own lives, the people who have inspired and shaped us almost always turn out to be the "dull" ones: the thoughtful English teacher, the overearnest priest …— Martin Townsend

Other Words from overearnest

overearnestly adverb
… its portrait of a young country trying overearnestly to connect with its Old World heritage was as poignant as it was humorous. — Michael Upchurch
overearnestness noun
The film's first act drags on too long, so that by the time its fascinating third act arrives, we are slightly numbed by the overearnestness of the whole affair. — Colin Dabkowski

First Known Use of overearnest

1568, in the meaning defined above

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