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
Synonym Usage
See busy.
Other Word Forms
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”); see -ent
Compare meaning
How does diligent compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Someone who is diligent works hard and carefully. If you want to write the epic history of your family, you'll have to be very diligent in tracking down and interviewing all of your relatives. Diligent comes from the Latin diligere, which means "to value highly, take delight in," but in English it has always meant careful and hard-working. If you're a diligent worker, you don't just bang away at your job; you earnestly try to do everything right. Although being lucky and talented doesn't hurt, it's the diligent person who eventually succeeds.
Vocabulary lists containing diligent
100 Top "SAT" Words
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Grade 9, List 1
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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.
The diligent crowd occasionally burst into applause or cheered each other on to keep spirits high.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
"It took diligent detective work from Ryleigh before we understood what we were seeing," he says.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
She has been in Congress for the past seven years, and has made a name for herself as one of its most diligent, intelligent, and effective members.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
As a child he was a reader and a diligent student.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
But I stay diligent, with my eyes narrowed on anything but him.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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.
