1
Core quality
Showing careful, steady, and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
Example
The diligent archivist checked every catalogue entry.
diligent
/ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ · DIL-ih-juntadjective
Showing careful, steady, and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
Use diligent to express this relationship precisely: showing careful, steady, and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
What diligent Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Diligent practice gradually improved her accuracy.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
He was talented, but his success also reflected diligent work.
Use diligent Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The diligent archivist checked every catalogue entry.
Diligent practice gradually improved her accuracy.
He was talented, but his success also reflected diligent work.
Precision Matters
Diligent overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
diligent
vs.Means showing careful, steady, and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
haphazard
Means random, disorganised, and lacking a deliberate method.
diligent
vs.Means showing careful, steady, and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
remiss
Means careless or failing to perform a duty, responsibility, or expected action.
diligent
vs.Means showing careful, steady, and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
nonchalant
Means appearing casually calm, unconcerned, or indifferent, especially in a situation that might provoke anxiety.
diligent
vs.Means showing careful, steady, and persistent effort in one's work or duties.
conscientious
Means careful, responsible, and guided by a serious desire to do one's work or duty properly.
Test diligent in Context
The work is careful, steady, and persistent.
1
Through ___ investigation, the reporter verified every quotation against the original recording.