industrious

1 of 2

adjective

in·​dus·​tri·​ous in-ˈdə-strē-əs 

1

: constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent

an industrious worker

2

obsolete : skillful, ingenious

industriously adverb

industriousness noun

industriousness

2 of 2

noun

in·​dus·​tri·​ous·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being industrious

a prosperity credited largely to the industriousness of the people

Synonyms of industrious

Adjective

• diligent
• engaged
• busy
• employed

Choose the Right Synonym for industrious

busy, industrious, diligent, assiduous, sedulous mean actively engaged or occupied.

busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Examples of industrious in a Sentence

Adjective

He is an industrious worker.

an industrious worker who never seems to sleep

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Gardeners know pollinators are essential, especially those industrious bees buzzing tirelessly in and out of squash blossoms and trumpet vines. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

While the floor-to-ceiling windows in each room provide an industrious look at Atlanta’s train systems, juxtaposed with the bright lights of the bustling Howell Mill Road corridor. —Mike Jordan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2026

The pop of gloves and laughter of children rang through the field for a while — until a few industrious boys and girls got their manos on bolígrafos. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

The social media content that comes out of the sprawling music festival screams spontaneity, but industrious planning is often buzzing behind the scenes weeks, or sometimes even months, in advance. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for industrious

• illustrious

Kids Definition

industrious

adjective

in·​dus·​tri·​ous in-ˈdəs-trē-əs 

: constantly or regularly active or occupied

an industrious farmer

industriously adverb

industriousness noun