conscientious
Americanadjective
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governed by conscience; controlled by or done according to one's inner sense of what is right; principled.
She's a conscientious judge, who does not let personal prejudices influence her decisions.
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careful and painstaking; particular; meticulous; scrupulous.
conscientious application to the work at hand.
adjective
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involving or taking great care; painstaking; diligent
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governed by or done according to conscience
Synonym Usage
See painstaking.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of conscientious
First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin conscientiōsus, equivalent to Latin conscienti(a) conscience + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
If someone is conscientious, that person strives to do what's right and to carry out her duties. Conscientious people show care and put in a big effort. Being conscientious has to do with being careful, thoughtful, and decent. A conscientious doctor will do everything possible to help a patient. A conscientious teacher will spend extra time with students, just to make sure they're learning. A boss wishes every worker could be conscientious: it's a rare and wonderful trait. To be conscientious, you have to be willing to do the right thing even when it's difficult. Unfortunately, many people aren't conscientious.
Vocabulary lists containing conscientious
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Great Gatsby
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Labor Day Lexicon: Words That Put You To Work
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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.
You are conscientious about what premarital assets remain separate, or not.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026
Dickson said conscientious objection was widespread in Wales - and it needed to be addressed.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
Nicole Berrie, 43, owner of Bonberi Mart in New York City’s West Village, said she’s very conscientious about ingredients, which makes Europe’s regulations appealing to her.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
A conscientious objector who did military service as a hospital orderly, he trained at the Bradford School of Art and then at London's Royal College, from which he graduated with a Gold Medal distinction.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
Dedicated, absorbed, and conscientious, she was soon promoted and began part-time studies at the Aviation Institute in Leningrad.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
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.
