earnest

adj. serious, sober; sincere, fervent, eager

n. seriousness, industriousness

n. man's name

An earnest payment (sometimes called earnest money or simply Earnest, or alternatively a Good-faith deposit) is a deposit towards the purchase of real estate made by a buyer to demonstrate that he/she is serious (earnest) about wanting to complete the purchase. When a buyer makes an offer to buy residential real estate, he/she generally signs a contract and pays a sum acceptable to the seller by way of earnest money. The amount varies enormously, depending upon local custom and the state of the local market at the time of contract negotiations.
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Noun
1. something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
(hypernym) security, surety
(hyponym) earnest money
Adjective
1. characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions; "both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate"; "an entirely sincere and cruel tyrant"; "a film with a solemn social message"
(synonym) in earnest(p), sincere, solemn
(similar) serious
2. earnest; "one's dearest wish"; "devout wishes for their success"; "heartfelt condolences"
(synonym) dear, devout, heartfelt
(similar) sincere
3. not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal
(synonym) businesslike
(similar) purposeful

(v. t.)
To use in earnest.
  

(n.)
Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.
  

(n.)
Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
  

(n.)
Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
  

(a.)
Serious; important.
  

(a.)
Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
  

(a.)
Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
  

(2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14) The Hebrew word was used generally for pledge, (Genesis 38:17) and in its cognate forms for surety, (Proverbs 17:18) and hostage . (2 Kings 14:14) The Greek derivative, however, acquired a more technical sense as signifying the deposit paid by the purchaser on entering into an agreement for the purchase of anything. In the New Testament the word is used to signify the pledge or earnest of the superior blessings of the future life.