industrious

[ in-duhs-tree-uhs ]

adjective

1. working energetically and devotedly; hardworking; diligent:

   an industrious person.

   Synonyms: energetic, tireless, sedulous, persevering, assiduous

   Antonyms: indolent, lazy

2. Obsolete. skillful.

industrious

/ ɪnˈdʌstrɪəs /

adjective

1. hard-working, diligent, or assiduous
2. an obsolete word for skilful

Derived Forms

• inˈdustriousness, noun
• inˈdustriously, adverb

Other Words From

• in·dus·tri·ous·ly adverb
• in·dus·tri·ous·ness noun
• non·in·dus·tri·ous adjective
• non·in·dus·tri·ous·ly adverb
• su·per·in·dus·tri·ous adjective
• su·per·in·dus·tri·ous·ly adverb
• un·in·dus·tri·ous adjective
• un·in·dus·tri·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of industrious¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French industrie “cleverness, skill,” from Old French industrie “contrivance, device,” from Latin industrius “diligent, assiduous”; equivalent to indo-, by-form of in- “in” ( in- ²( def ) + -struus, noun derivative of struere “to arrange, devise, build”

Synonym Study

See busy.

Example Sentences

“I think Billy is a fine, industrious, hardworking young man,” Blais told me.

From Slate

So when any sliver of private land or an already existing home hits the market, there’s usually a long line of well-to-do professionals and would-be Airbnb investors from coastal cities ready to drive the price out of reach for even the most industrious working people.

From Los Angeles Times

In a later interview on CBC Radio, the chef admitted that the concept is both “genius” and “industrious,” but said he refuses to try the pasta for himself.

From Salon

As Alan reported last week, the portrait that has emerged so far is that of an industrious but inexperienced and often insecure judge whose reluctance to rule decisively even on minor matters has permitted one of the country’s most important criminal cases to become bogged down in a logjam of unresolved issues.

From New York Times

The portrait that has emerged so far is that of an industrious but inexperienced and often insecure judge whose reluctance to rule decisively even on minor matters has permitted one of the country’s most important criminal cases to become bogged down in a logjam of unresolved issues.

From New York Times

Related Words

• conscientious
• diligent
• energetic
• productive