diligent
Americanadjective
-
constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything.
a diligent student.
- Synonyms:
- sedulous, assiduous, industrious
-
done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking.
a diligent search of the files.
- Synonyms:
- unremitting, tireless, indefatigable
adjective
-
careful and persevering in carrying out tasks or duties
-
carried out with care and perseverance
diligent work
Related Words
See busy.
Other Word Forms
- diligently adverb
- diligentness noun
- nondiligent adjective
- overdiligent adjective
- overdiligentness noun
- prediligent adjective
- undiligent adjective
Etymology
Origin of diligent
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin dīligent- (stem of dīligēns ), present participle of dīligere “to choose, like,” equivalent to dī- di- 2 + -ligere (combining form of legere “to choose, read”); -ent
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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.
Everyone you speak to about Peters says the same words: meticulous, diligent, thorough.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
“I was wild and in the streets, not diligent in any way about anything, but I really loved it.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
There was no diligent retailer in the Philippines who realized they overcharged you for an eBay or Amazon purchase you had forgotten you made years ago, and miraculously wanted to make you whole.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026
In a report published last year the UK Covid Inquiry praised the former first minister as a "serious and diligent leader", but said she "often excluded" some government ministers and advisers from key discussions.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
It belongs to Dartmouth College, of Hanover, whose famous Outing Club has been looking after it in a commendably diligent and low-key way since the early years of this century.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
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.
