Earnest and serious: when should each be used? I've noticed there's a lot of overlap between the following words meaning "earnest" or "serious" when talking about a person: * * {} * {} * {} * {}: (This word really means "sane" I believe, but I'm including it as I think can translate to "are you serious?") * {}: (I'm not sure whether this word meaning "honest" belongs here I but keep wondering what it's relationship to {} is when it means "obedient". I thought there might be some overlap in it's usage, e.g. "obedient face" and "serious face". It could well be unrelated though.) Would I be allowed to ask what the differences between these words are and when they're used?

* `` colloquial and contracted form of ``.
* `` 'diligent, serious'
* `` 'serious, under one's best' implies some tension
* `` 'one's best, mean it'
* `` 'has not lost conscious (due to alchohol, drug, fainting, or extreme situation, etc.)'
* `` 'obedient, open minded'