Diligencecareful and persistent effort over a long period means careful and persistentcontinuing firmly despite difficulty or delay effort. It can describe steady hard work, a determined effort to do something, or the care someone shows in handling a task properlyin the correct or suitable way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/
Easy pronunciation: DIL-i-jens (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Diligence Meaning
working carefully and consistently over time
Part of speech: noun
Definition: steady, persistent effort and hard work
Example: His diligence won him quick promotions.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- industry — A close match for hard-working effort and persistence.
- industriousness — A close match, though a little more formal.
- application — Works for the sense of careful effort, especially in study or work.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Diligence
Meaning 2
an effort made with care and persistence
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a diligent effort
Example: She approached the project with real application.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- application — Fits this sense directly as a careful, devoted effort.
Meaning 3
careful attention and proper care in doing something
Part of speech: noun
Definition: conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a given situation
Example: The report was prepared with great diligence.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Diligence Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- industry
- industriousness
- application
a diligent effort
- application
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse diligence with delay or reluctance; it means steady, careful effort.
- In everyday use, diligence is often about sustained hard work, not just a single burst of effort.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does diligence mean?
Diligence means careful, persistent effort and hard work. It can also mean making a careful effort or paying proper attention to a task.
What are synonyms for diligence?
Common synonyms include industry, industriousness, and application, depending on the sense.
Is diligence the same as hard work?
Yes, in many contexts it is close to hard work, but it also suggests consistency, care, and persistence.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.