diligence

1 of 2

noun (1)

dil·​i·​gence ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s 

1

a

: steady, earnest, and energetic effort : persistent and careful hard work

showed great diligence in tracking down the story

He had earned universal respect for his integrity, fairness, and diligence.

—John L. Sanders

b

obsolete : speed, haste

Go, hence with diligence!

—Shakespeare

2

law : the attention, effort, and care legally expected or required of a person (such as a party to a contract) see also due diligence

diligence

2 of 2

noun (2)

di·​li·​gence ˈdi-lə-ˌzhäⁿs  ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s 

archaic : stagecoach

The railway had driven coach companies out of business. … Once, the journey had taken three days by diligence.

—Graham Robb

Synonyms of diligence

Noun (1)

• effort
• assiduity
• persistence
• industry
• industriousness
• assiduousness
• attentiveness
• attention

Examples of diligence in a Sentence

Noun (1)

through the diligence and ingenuity of a single detective, the gang's ringleader was finally caught

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Both have done their diligence, and both believe in the company. — Anas Bhairi, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Regulations are changing too slowly and unevenly, as European policymakers have delayed some reporting and due-diligence requirements, while product and import rules continue to advance. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

Lawyers no longer need to spend days reviewing thousands of contracts for diligence issues that software can flag in minutes. — Will Hausberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026

Aside from politics, Kreamer was a high school English teacher, was an adjunct assistant professor and ran a solo law office, though she was disbarred in 2008 for lack of diligence, competence and client communication. — Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin diligentia, from diligent-, diligens — see diligent

Noun (2)

French, literally, haste, from Middle French, persevering application

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1742, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing diligence

• due diligence

Kids Definition

diligence

noun

dil·​i·​gence

ˈdil-ə-jən(t)s

: careful and continued work : industry

Legal Definition

diligence

noun

dil·​i·​gence ˈdi-lə-jəns 

: earnest and persistent application of effort especially as required by law

also : care sense 1 see also due diligence