industrious

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

Synonyms of industrious

• 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

He is an industrious worker.

an industrious worker who never seems to sleep

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, Norway’s Berg is going under the radar, despite similarly industrious performances in midfield. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Sánchez’s entry features industrious zombies hot on the tails of some cyclists, while Evans’ installment (the best here) deals with a demented doomsday cult. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Tuba is currently having a resurgence in Colima, with the drink being sold by industrious street vendors and swanky mixologists alike. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Or an authoritative Uncle Jimmy sun, incomparable Sydney moon and industrious Marcus ascendant. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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