diligent

UK: /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ US: /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ ,(dil′i jənt)

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

dil•i•gent /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/   adj. 

1. constant, careful, and earnest in effort and work:
   a diligent student.
2. done or pursued with careful attention:
   a diligent search.

dil•i•gent•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dil•i•gent  (dil′i jənt), adj. 

1. constant in effort to accomplish something;
   attentive and persistent in doing anything:
   a diligent student.
2. done or pursued with persevering attention;
   painstaking:
   a diligent search of the files.

• 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); see -ent
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English (1300–50

dil′i•gent•ly, adv. 
dil′i•gent•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. industrious, assiduous, sedulous. See busy. 
• 2. indefatigable, untiring, tireless, unremitting.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

diligent / ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ adjective

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

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French, from Latin dīligere to value, from dis- apart + legere to read

ˈdiligently adverb