diligent

dil·i·gent

adj \ˈdi-lə-jənt\

Definition of DILIGENT

: characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : painstaking <a diligent worker>

— dil·i·gent·ly adverb

Examples of DILIGENT

1. <a student who has been unceasingly diligent in pursuit of a degree in mathematics>

Origin of DILIGENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin diligent-, diligens, from present participle of diligere to esteem, love, from di- (from dis- apart) + legere to select — more at legend

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DILIGENT

Synonyms: active, assiduous, bustling, busy, employed, engaged, hopping, industrious, laborious, occupied, sedulous, tied-up, working

Antonyms: idle, inactive, unbusy, unemployed, unoccupied

Related Words: knee-deep, swamped; animated, astir, buzzing, flourishing, happening, humming, lively, thriving, vibrant; absorbed, concentrating, engrossed, focused (also focussed), immersed, intent, preoccupied; alive, functional, functioning, going, living, operating, operational, operative, running; energetic, vigorous; hardworking; indefatigable, tireless, untiring

Near Antonyms: free; asleep, dormant, latent, lifeless, quiescent, sleepy; inert, passive; dead, dull, slow; inoperative, nonoperating

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See Synonym Discussion at busy