diligence

UK: /ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/

US: /ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/

US: (dil′i jəns; also Fr. dē lē zhäns′ for 2)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dil•i•gence /ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/  n. [uncountable]

1. carefulness in work:
   examined our accounting procedures with diligence.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dil•i•gence¹  (dil′i jəns), n. 

1. constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken;
   persistent exertion of body or mind.
2. Lawmaking the degree of care and caution required by the circumstances of a person.
3. [Obs.] care;
   caution.

• Latin dīligentia, equivalent. to dīligent- (stem of dīligēns) diligent + -ia; see -ence
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English deligence (1300–50

dil•i•gence²  (dil′i jəns; Fr. dē lē zhäns′), n., pl. -gen•ces 

(-jən siz; Fr. -zhäns′). 
1. a public stagecoach, esp. as formerly used in France.

• short for French carosse de diligence speed coach 1735–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

diligence / ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/ noun

1. steady and careful application
2. proper attention or care

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin dīligentia care, attentiveness

diligence / ˈdɪlɪdʒəns diliʒɑ̃s/ noun

1. a stagecoach

Etymology: 18th Century: from French, shortened from carosse de diligence, literally: coach of speed