Serious listener has comfortable home (7)

I believe the answer is:

earnest

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'serious' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'listener has comfortable home' is the wordplay.
'listener' becomes 'ear' (body part which hears or listens).
'has' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'comfortable home' becomes 'nest' (a bird's home. I am not sure about the 'comfortable' bit.).
'ear'+'nest'='EARNEST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earnest that I've seen before include "Nearest (anag.)" , "Showing sincere and intense conviction" , "Serious, solemn" , "Sincere; determined" , "showing seriousness" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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