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diligence
/ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/Loanword from English diligence
persistent effort and care
She showed great diligence in preparing for the final exam.
She put in a lot of careful, steady work to get ready for the test.
formal
steady, careful, and hard work towards a task or goal.
His promotion was a reward for years of diligence.
He got promoted because he worked hard and carefully for many years.
Often used in academic or professional contexts to praise consistent effort.
Law
formal
careful attention to detail and accuracy in work.
The lawyer exercised due diligence before signing the contract.
The lawyer carefully checked all details and facts before agreeing to the deal.
In law and business, 'due diligence' refers to the investigation done before a transaction.
Collocations
due diligencecareful investigation before a business dealshow diligencedemonstrate hard work and carewith diligencein a careful and hardworking way
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use in Professional Contexts
Use 'diligence' when describing work ethic in resumes, performance reviews, or formal writing. It sounds more professional than 'working hard'.
Gold Rule
Diligence vs. Hard Work
Hard work is about effort; diligence is about effort + care + consistency. You can work hard but carelessly; diligence implies doing it right.
Word Origin
From Latin 'diligentia' meaning 'carefulness' or 'friendliness', derived from 'diligere' (to value highly, to choose).
Usage Notes
Diligence is a positive trait often associated with success. It implies not just working hard, but working carefully and consistently over time.
Word Breakdown
dilig-
root meaning 'to value' or 'to choose'
root-ence
noun suffix indicating a state or quality
suffixEnglish Dictionary