conscientious

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adjective con·sci·en·tious \ˌkän(t)-shē-ˈen(t)-shəs\

Definition of conscientious

1 : governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience : scrupulous a conscientious public servant
2 : meticulous, careful a conscientious listener

conscientiously

adverb

conscientiousness

noun

See conscientious defined for English-language learners

See conscientious defined for kids

conscientious was our Word of the Day on 06/22/2008. Hear the podcast!

Examples of conscientious in a Sentence

He was a good friend to his comrades, a conscientious leader mindful of his men's needs; an upright family man with strong, bright, proud children … —Tom Clancy, Without Remorse, 1994
Because Puckett was a conscientious lieutenant … his men did not have to stint on their fire. He had made sure that every man was carrying a basic load of ammunition and then some to spare … —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
He was shifty about money matters, not conscientious about returning advances, fulfilling contracts, reading manuscripts. —Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
She has always been a very conscientious worker.
He was conscientious about following the doctor's orders.

Recent Examples of conscientious from the Web

In her own unfathomable bereavement, Dion was careful and conscientious with theirs.

— Vogue, "Céline Dion Takes Couture: Behind the Scenes With the Diva in Paris", 5 July 2017
Indeed, though once reserved for niche companies catering to chiefly conscientious crowds, animal welfare has broken through the mainstream.

— matthew prescott, Fortune, "Why Animal Cruelty Is Bad Business", 23 June 2017
No one outside the festival circuit has either the inclination or the constitution to watch them all, while the options can look indistinguishably downbeat even to the conscientious.

— guy lodge, chicagotribune.com, "'Last Men in Aleppo' review: 'Last Men in Aleppo' review: Messy, harrowing account of living through war", 22 June 2017
A zest for life, an interest in the world, the pursuit of a passion, a desire to learn, a conscientious effort to keep mentally and physically healthy — those seem to be more telling qualities of true youth.

— ana veciana-suarez, miamiherald, "Old age, like beauty, is in the eye of beholder", 20 June 2017
Q. My elderly mother has been very conscientious about a low-salt diet.

— teresa graedon, The Seattle Times, "Getting to the bottom of her postpartum pain", 11 June 2017
Mr. Hendrickson began working at Perrigo as an engineer in 1989, and gained a reputation as conscientious manager who was popular with factory workers.

— vipal monga, WSJ, "Perrigo CEO to Leave After 14 Months", 5 June 2017
Service: Conscientious and fast, but the servers are made to wear uniforms that promote the French-fashion stereotype of the long-sleeve, horizontally striped pullover shirt and beret (though the headgear at PB is more cap than beret).

— allen pierleoni, sacbee, "Lunch? Make a French culinary stop on Howe by way of Asia", 1 June 2017
Conscientious and fast, but the servers are made to wear uniforms that promote the French-fashion stereotype of the long-sleeve, horizontally striped pullover shirt and beret (though the headgear at PB is more cap than beret).

— allen pierleoni, sacbee, "Lunch? Make a French culinary stop on Howe by way of Asia", 1 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conscientious'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

According to American writer and editor H.L. Mencken, "Conscience is the inner voice which warns us someone may be looking." A person who is conscientious makes sure that if others are watching, they like what they see. "Conscience" and "conscientious" both come from the Latin verb conscire, a word that means "to be conscious" or "to be conscious of guilt" and that traces back to a still older Latin word, scire, meaning "to know."

Origin and Etymology of conscientious

see conscience

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First Known Use: 1603

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of conscientious

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles. a stern and upright minister honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness. known for being honest in business dealings just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable. workers given just compensation conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience. conscientious in the completion of her assignments scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty. a difficult but honorable decision

CONSCIENTIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

conscientious

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adjective

Definition of conscientious for English Language Learners

: very careful about doing what you are supposed to do : concerned with doing something correctly

CONSCIENTIOUS Defined for Kids

conscientious

play

adjective con·sci·en·tious \ˌkän-shē-ˈen-shəs\

Definition of conscientious for Students

1 : guided by or agreeing with a sense of doing what is right No conscientious person would stand for such unfair actions.
2 : using or done with care conscientious teachers conscientious efforts