assiduity
Americannoun
plural
assiduities-
constant or close application or effort; diligence; industry.
-
assiduities, devoted or solicitous attentions.
noun
-
constant and close application
-
(often plural) devoted attention
Etymology
Origin of assiduity
From the Latin word assiduitās, dating back to 1595–1605. See assiduous, -ity
Explanation
When you do something with assiduity, you really focus your attention on it. If you work with assiduity on a research paper, you're sure to get an A. If you've ever watched professional tennis, you've seen players focus with assiduity on their game. Diligent students, serious chess players, and successful businessmen all make great use of their assiduity to get what they want and do their best work. The noun assiduity has been around since the fifteenth century, and it comes from the Latin assiduatem, or "continual presence."
Vocabulary lists containing assiduity
Jane Eyre
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Wuthering Heights
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The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite his scholarly assiduity, Metcalfe is moving down an errant path that will never square the facts with lived experience.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2025
The House gave him a reference stating that he "acted with a very high degree of professionalism. He showed discretion, loyalty, assiduity and efficiency... there were no disciplinary issues affecting him".
From BBC • May 1, 2018
All it takes is commitment and a little assiduity.
From Time • Jan. 9, 2016
"There are no trees. The people are unhealthy in appearance - a circumstance which is attributed to their assiduity in pearl diving, which places a severe strain on the human constitution."
From BBC • Dec. 5, 2014
“Be firm, Herbert,” I would retort, plying my own pen with great assiduity.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
