Diligent
adjective /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ — Working carefully, steadily, and without cutting corners.
Definition
Having or showing consistent care and effort in what you do; thorough and hard-working.
Beyond the definition
Diligent describes the quality that shows up in the finished thing — the detail that reveals how much someone cared. A diligent student, worker, or person doesn't need reminding to try hard.
Origin & history
From Latin diligens — choosing carefully, from diligere 'to love, value highly'. Originally about choosing to care, not just working hard.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her diligent preparation meant she was ready for every question.
He was diligent about checking his work twice before submitting.
A diligent employee doesn't wait to be asked — they notice what needs doing.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Diligent” when the meaning fits your context: Having or showing consistent care and effort in what you do; thorough and hard-working.
Synonyms
hardworking, careful, thorough, attentive, industrious
Antonyms
lazy, careless, negligent
Related words
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Devoted Restorer at Work
An adult restorer uses a magnifying glass to work on an intricate, tiny mosaic fragment with great, quiet, and devoted patience.
The focused, precise work on the mosaic demonstrates diligence through the restorer's consistent care and effort. This image specifically highlights the thoroughness required to manage small details, showing how sustained attention produces excellent and highly skilled results over time.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Diligent" mean?
Diligent is adjective meaning: Working carefully, steadily, and without cutting corners.. Having or showing consistent care and effort in what you do; thorough and hard-working.
Where does the word "Diligent" come from?
From Latin diligens — choosing carefully, from diligere 'to love, value highly'. Originally about choosing to care, not just working hard.