assiduity

American  

[as-i-doo-i-tee, -dyoo-] / ˌæs ɪˈdu ɪ ti, -ˈdju- /

noun

• assiduities
  plural

1. constant or close application or effort; diligence; industry.

2. assiduities, devoted or solicitous attentions.

---

assiduity British  

/ ˌæsɪˈdjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. constant and close application

2. (often plural) devoted attention

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• assiduities
  plural

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

assiduity assiduities

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

I do not regret pulling out the leaves of this book to make a lesson-book for my friends, though I approach its end: Their pleasure and assiduity repay me.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

But, in spite of this precaution, they could not escape the assiduities of some gay men of fashion, who knew Glenmurray and admired his companion; and Adeline at length suspected that Glenmurray was jealous.

From Adeline Mowbray or, The Mother and Daughter by Amelia Alderson Opie

I left no stone unturned to be of service to them, without being taken in by their interested assiduities.

From The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VII (of X)—Continental Europe I by Henry Cabot Lodge

As if my good genius warned me of my fate, I disliked him so much at first, that I felt unhappy in his presence; but his assiduities gradually won upon me.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume VI by Alexander Leighton

His assiduities were like those of the dying Narcissa— And Betty, give those cheeks a little red, One wouldn't, sure, look horrid when one's dead!

From Aspects and Impressions by Edmund Gosse

His last moments were solaced by the tender assiduities of his congenial helpmate, of his children, and of his old and long-familiar friends.

From Southern Literature From 1579-1895 A comprehensive review, with copious extracts and criticisms for the use of schools and the general reader by Louise Manly