WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
dil•i•gent /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- constant, careful, and earnest in effort and work:a diligent student.
- done or pursued with careful attention:a diligent search.
dil•i•gent
(dil′i jənt),USA pronunciation adj.
dil′i•gent•ly, adv.
dil′i•gent•ness, n.
- constant in effort to accomplish something;
attentive and persistent in doing anything:a diligent student. - done or pursued with persevering attention;
painstaking:a diligent search of the files.
- Latin dīligent- (stem of dīligēns), present participle of dīligere to choose, like, equivalent. to dī- di-2 + -ligere (combining form of legere to choose, read); see -ent
- Anglo-French)
- Middle English (1300–50
dil′i•gent•ness, n.
- 1. industrious, assiduous, sedulous. See busy. 2. indefatigable, untiring, tireless, unremitting.
'diligently' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
exert
- fling
- hunt
- hunter
- knuckle down
- nurse
- ply
- quarry
- settle down
- soldier
- apply
- assiduous
- perquisite
- well-done
- sedulous