diligent

[ dil-i-juhnt ]

adjective

1. constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything:

   a diligent student.

   Synonyms: sedulous, assiduous, industrious

2. done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking:

   a diligent search of the files.

   Synonyms: unremitting, tireless, indefatigable

diligent

/ ˈdɪlɪdʒənt /

adjective

1. careful and persevering in carrying out tasks or duties
2. carried out with care and perseverance

   diligent work

Derived Forms

• ˈdiligently, adverb

Other Words From

• dil·i·gent·ly adverb
• dil·i·gent·ness noun
• non·dil·i·gent adjective
• o·ver·dil·i·gent adjective
• o·ver·dil·i·gent·ness noun
• pre·dil·i·gent adjective
• un·dil·i·gent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diligent¹

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”); -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of diligent¹

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

Synonym Study

See busy.

Example Sentences

“We know freeways are critical to efficient routing across large service areas, and we’ll continue diligent testing to offer freeway routes to our riders in the future,” Bonelli said.

From Los Angeles Times

Amorim, who is set to leave Portuguese champions Sporting to move to Old Trafford, is nothing if not a diligent - and decisive - tactical thinker.

From BBC

"The truth is, despite all my diligent searching, we may never know for sure whether history has got it wrong," Prof Stoyle added.

From BBC

"Martyn is the most professional, assiduous, diligent police officer you will come across and he should never have been put in this position," he said.

From BBC

Another teacher in West Virginia merrily encourages the students in his working-class mining town to show their personalities and be diligent.

From Salon

Related Words

• active
• assiduous
• attentive
• careful
• conscientious
• eager
• earnest
• indefatigable
• industrious
• painstaking
• persistent
• studious
• tireless