Word
diligent
Diligent describes someone who works carefully and consistently, showing steady effort and attention to detail.
Meanings
working hard in a careful and thorough way
showing steady, careful effort over time on a task or responsibility
Definition
If someone is diligent, they put in regular effort and take their responsibilities seriously. They work carefully, pay attention to details, and keep going even when a task is repetitive or difficult. The word often suggests reliability and thoroughness rather than speed.
Examples
- She was diligent about revising her thesis, checking every reference and formatting detail before submission.
- I try to be diligent in my training schedule, even when progress feels slow and repetitive.
- They remained diligent during the audit, documenting each step so the team could verify the process later.
- He is diligent in customer support, following up until the issue is resolved rather than rushing to close the ticket.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse diligent with intelligent; diligent means hardworking and careful, not necessarily naturally smart.
More at C1 level
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- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.