Meaning & use
diligent
Last updated
UK/ˈdɪl.ɪ.dʒənt/
US/ˈdɪl.ɪ.dʒənt/
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Working steadily and carefully over time, giving consistent effort and attention.
Grammar: Can be before a noun or after be; often followed by in or about before a task area.
Patterns
- diligent student
- diligent in doing something
- diligent about something
- diligent research
A diligent student reviews notes after every class.
She was diligent in checking every reference before publication.
Diligent research takes patience, not just speed.
Word forms
| comparative | more diligent |
|---|---|
| superlative | most diligent |
Common combinations
- diligent student
- The diligent student arrived early to ask questions.
- diligent research
- The report was based on diligent research across three archives.
- diligent in checking
- Be diligent in checking the dosage before giving medicine.
- diligent about details
- An editor must be diligent about details.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hardworking
- General and common; diligent adds steady care and attention to detail.
- conscientious
- Suggests doing work carefully because it is one's duty; slightly more moral in tone.
- industrious
- Emphasizes continuous productive effort; diligent emphasizes carefulness.
- persistent
- Best for continuing despite difficulty; diligent does not imply obstacles.
Opposites
Word family
- diligence noun
- steady careful effort
- diligently adverb
- in a diligent way
Commonly confused: diligent or delicate?
diligent vs delicate
Delicate means fragile or finely made; diligent means careful and hard-working.
Practice
He was diligent ___ his duties every morning.
Choose one answer.
Diligent in his duties is a formal natural pattern. To, on, and for do not normally introduce the task area after diligent.
Make it your own
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