diligent

[dil-i-juhnt]

adjective

constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything: a diligent student.

done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking: a diligent search of the files.

Origin of diligent

1300–50; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < 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

Related formsdil·i·gent·ly, adverbdil·i·gent·ness, nounnon·dil·i·gent, adjectivenon·dil·i·gent·ly, adverbo·ver·dil·i·gent, adjectiveo·ver·dil·i·gent·ly, adverbo·ver·dil·i·gent·ness, nounpre·dil·i·gent, adjectivepre·dil·i·gent·ly, adverbun·dil·i·gent, adjectiveun·dil·i·gent·ly, adverb

Synonyms for diligent

1. industrious, assiduous, sedulous. 2. indefatigable, untiring, tireless, unremitting.

Synonym study

1. See busy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for undiligent

diligent

adjective

careful and persevering in carrying out tasks or duties

carried out with care and perseverancediligent work

Derived Formsdiligently, adverb

Word Origin for diligent

C14: from Old French, from Latin dīligere to value, from dis- apart + legere to read

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for undiligent

diligent

adj.

mid-14c., from Old French diligent (14c.), from Latin diligentem "attentive, assiduous" (see diligence). Related: Diligently.