diligent
A diligent person works very hard and is careful to do things correctly.
Explanation at your level:
A diligent person is a hard worker. If you are diligent, you do your homework well and you do not forget your tasks. You try your best every day. Teachers like students who are diligent because they listen and learn carefully.
Being diligent means you are careful. You check your work to make sure there are no mistakes. If you have a job or a school project, a diligent person finishes it on time and does a very good job. It is a good quality to have.
A diligent person shows great care and effort. You might be described as diligent if you are consistent in your work habits. For example, a diligent student studies every day, not just the night before the exam. It implies that you are reliable and you take your responsibilities seriously.
In a professional context, being diligent is highly valued. It suggests a level of conscientiousness that goes beyond the minimum requirements. A diligent employee is someone who anticipates problems and handles tasks with precision. It is a common word used in formal feedback or when discussing someone's professional reputation.
The term diligent often implies a sustained, intellectual, or moral commitment to a task. It suggests that the individual possesses the discipline to maintain high standards despite potential distractions or fatigue. In academic or legal fields, 'due diligence' is a specific term referring to the necessary research or investigation one must complete before making a decision.
Etymologically, diligent carries the weight of 'loving' what one does. At the C2 level, we recognize that diligence is not merely about speed or output, but about the integrity of the process. It is a trait often attributed to scholars, master craftspeople, and those who demonstrate a profound respect for their craft. To be diligent is to exhibit a form of quiet, persistent excellence that defines one's character.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- Diligent means working hard and carefully.
- It is a very positive adjective.
- Commonly used in school and work.
- The noun form is diligence.
When you describe someone as diligent, you are giving them a high compliment. It means they are someone who puts real effort into their tasks, consistently and carefully.
Think of the most reliable person you know—the one who checks their work twice, meets every deadline, and stays focused even when things get boring. That is a diligent person! It is not just about working fast; it is about working well.
The word diligent has a beautiful history. It comes from the Latin word diligere, which means 'to value highly' or 'to love'.
Back in the day, if you were diligent, it literally meant you were someone who 'loved' or 'valued' your work enough to give it your full attention. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'loving' to the 'careful effort' we associate with it today in English.
You will hear diligent most often in professional or academic settings. It is a positive, slightly formal word that is perfect for performance reviews or letters of recommendation.
Commonly, we talk about being diligent in one's studies or a diligent researcher. It is a great way to praise someone's work ethic without sounding too casual.
While 'diligent' doesn't have many direct idioms, it is often associated with phrases like:
- Nose to the grindstone: Working hard and diligently.
- Burning the midnight oil: Working late into the night.
- Dotting your i's and crossing your t's: Being extremely thorough.
- Going the extra mile: Doing more than is required.
- Rolling up your sleeves: Getting ready for hard work.
Diligent is an adjective. It is pronounced DIL-ih-junt in both American and British English. The stress is on the first syllable.
It is often used with the preposition 'in' (e.g., 'diligent in his efforts') or 'about' (e.g., 'diligent about cleaning'). It rhymes with words like negligent (though they are opposites!).
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'delight'!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'd', short 'i', soft 'j' sound.
Similar to UK, slightly more relaxed 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'j' as a hard 'g'
- Stressing the second syllable
- Dropping the final 't'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common word
Easy to use
Easy to pronounce
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Adjectives
He is diligent.
Prepositions
Diligent in work.
Word Forms
Diligent vs Diligence.
Examples by Level
He is a diligent student.
He works hard.
Adjective before noun.
She is very diligent.
She works carefully.
Adjective after verb.
They are diligent workers.
They work well.
Plural subject.
Be diligent with your work.
Work hard.
Imperative.
A diligent person is helpful.
Hard workers help.
Subject noun phrase.
My dad is diligent.
My dad works hard.
Possessive adjective.
Stay diligent at school.
Keep working hard.
Linking verb.
He was diligent today.
He worked hard today.
Past tense.
She is diligent about her chores.
The diligent boy finished his homework early.
He earned a promotion through diligent work.
Teachers appreciate diligent students.
She is a diligent researcher.
They are diligent in their training.
A diligent effort is required.
He remained diligent throughout the project.
The team was diligent in checking the data for errors.
She maintained a diligent approach to her studies.
His diligent preparation paid off during the interview.
We need to be diligent about our safety procedures.
The company is known for its diligent customer service.
He is a very diligent worker who never misses a deadline.
She showed diligent attention to detail.
You must be diligent if you want to succeed in this field.
The committee conducted a diligent review of the proposal.
His diligent research led to a major discovery.
She is diligent in her pursuit of excellence.
The investigators were diligent in gathering all the evidence.
Despite the difficulties, she remained diligent in her efforts.
A diligent student will always find time to review.
He was praised for his diligent handling of the crisis.
The project requires a diligent and focused team.
The lawyers performed their due diligence before the merger.
Her diligent application to the task was truly impressive.
He is a diligent observer of social trends.
The architect's diligent planning ensured the building's stability.
It requires a diligent mind to solve such complex puzzles.
She is diligent in upholding the highest ethical standards.
The report is a result of diligent investigation.
His diligent stewardship of the charity has been remarkable.
The manuscript reflects a lifetime of diligent scholarship.
She approached the restoration with the diligent care of an artist.
The diplomat's diligent efforts prevented a conflict.
Such diligent attention to nuance is rare.
He is a diligent curator of historical archives.
The success of the experiment was due to their diligent monitoring.
Her diligent practice transformed her into a virtuoso.
The judge was known for her diligent interpretation of the law.
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"due diligence"
necessary research before a decision
Do your due diligence before buying the house.
formal"nose to the grindstone"
working hard and steadily
He kept his nose to the grindstone all summer.
casual"burn the midnight oil"
work late into the night
She burned the midnight oil to finish the project.
casual"dot the i's and cross the t's"
be very thorough
Make sure to dot your i's and cross your t's on the contract.
neutral"leave no stone unturned"
look everywhere/do everything
The police left no stone unturned in their search.
neutral"roll up one's sleeves"
prepare for hard work
It is time to roll up our sleeves and start.
casualEasily Confused
similar sounds
smart vs hard-working
He is intelligent but not diligent.
rhyme
opposite meanings
He was diligent, not negligent.
spelling
careful vs fast
Fast work isn't always diligent.
noun/adj
thing vs quality
Diligence is a virtue.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + diligent
He is diligent.
Subject + is + diligent + in + noun
She is diligent in her work.
Subject + is + diligent + about + noun
He is diligent about his health.
It + requires + diligent + effort
It requires diligent effort.
He + remained + diligent + throughout
He remained diligent throughout.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
They sound similar but mean different things (smart vs hard-working).
Diligent is an adjective; the noun is diligence.
Diligent means careful, not necessarily fast.
Avoid using 'diligent on'.
Diligent describes people's actions, not inanimate objects.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a student at a desk working hard.
Professional Use
Use it in your resume.
Cultural Insight
Valued in Western workplaces.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'in' or 'about' after it.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable.
Don't confuse
Don't confuse with intelligent.
Did You Know?
It means 'to love' in Latin.
Study Smart
Use it to describe your own habits.
Formal Writing
Great for cover letters.
Word Family
Learn diligence, diligent, diligently.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
DIL-IGENT: DILl pickles are IGENT (in a gentle/careful way).
Visual Association
A busy bee working on a flower.
Word Web
Desafío
Write a sentence about someone you admire.
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Original meaning: To value highly or love
Contexto cultural
None.
Highly prized in business and education.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- diligent employee
- diligent worker
- diligent effort
at school
- diligent student
- diligent study
- diligent learner
research
- diligent search
- diligent investigation
- due diligence
daily life
- diligent about chores
- diligent care
- diligent planning
Conversation Starters
"Who is the most diligent person you know?"
"Why is being diligent important in a job?"
"Do you consider yourself a diligent student?"
"How can someone become more diligent?"
"Is it better to be fast or diligent?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were very diligent.
Why do you think diligence leads to success?
Write about a task that requires a lot of diligence.
How do you stay diligent when you are tired?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasYes, it is very positive.
Usually for people, but you can say a diligent guard dog.
Diligently.
Diligence.
Yes, it is common in professional settings.
No, it means careful.
Yes.
Yes, in education and business.
Ponte a prueba
She is a ___ student.
Diligent describes a good student.
What does diligent mean?
Diligent means working hard.
A diligent person is usually careless.
Diligent means careful.
Word
Significado
Synonyms match.
Subject-verb-adjective order.
He was ___ in his research.
Needs an adjective.
Which is a synonym?
Assiduous means diligent.
Due diligence is a business term.
It means careful research.
Correct adverb placement.
His ___ was noted by the boss.
Needs a noun.
Puntuación: /10
Summary
To be diligent is to love your work enough to do it with great care and focus.
- Diligent means working hard and carefully.
- It is a very positive adjective.
- Commonly used in school and work.
- The noun form is diligence.
Memory Palace
Imagine a student at a desk working hard.
Professional Use
Use it in your resume.
Cultural Insight
Valued in Western workplaces.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'in' or 'about' after it.
Ejemplo
Elle est très diligente dans son travail.
Related Content
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Más palabras de general
abrégé
B1An abstract, summary, or abridgment.
absence
A2The state of being away from a place or person.
absolument
A2Absolutely.
abstinence
B1The practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something.
abstraction
B2Concept ou idée générale plutôt que quelque chose de concret ou particulier.
absurde
B2absurd, ridiculous
à cause de
A2Because of; on account of (a neutral or negative cause).
accompli
B2Successfully completed or achieved.
acheminer
B1To transport, convey, or send something to a destination.
acheté
B2Acquired by paying for it.
