diligently
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of diligently
Explanation
Doing something diligently means doing it thoroughly and well. It's the opposite of doing it lazily or shoddily. If you are tireless, persevering, and do things with great care, then you do things diligently. This is an adverb that goes with hard and careful work. If you have a test coming up, the more diligently you review your materials, the better your grade will be. Workers who do their job diligently tend to get promoted. Some dogs diligently pursue squirrels in the park. When someone uses this word about something you've done, it's a huge compliment.
Vocabulary lists containing diligently
This Week in Pop Culture: February 2 - 8, 2019
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
President Obama's Speech at the United Nations
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
So by 1803, Secretary of State James Madison was working diligently to secure peace between the U.S. and Tripoli as quickly as possible.
From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026
The first generation that started saving this way is now approaching retirement, and looking at the stage that comes next, which is spending all the money they’ve diligently saved.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026
In 2014-15, she helped with a county-wide survey, but said: "We searched diligently but very sadly concluded that water voles were functionally extinct in Surrey."
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
“PATH’s services are trauma-informed and our teams work diligently to connect individuals with substance use treatment, mental health care, and physical health services that support long-term stability and self-sufficiency,” Renner said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
Despite the miserable weather, the planes are flying diligently back and forth.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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.
