assiduous

adjective as·sid·u·ous \ə-ˈsij-wəs, -ˈsi-jə-\

: showing great care, attention, and effort

Full Definition of ASSIDUOUS

: marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application <an assiduous book collector> <tended her garden with assiduous attention>

— as·sid·u·ous·ly adverb

— as·sid·u·ous·ness noun

See assiduous defined for English-language learners

See assiduous defined for kids

Origin of ASSIDUOUS

Latin assiduus, from assidēre

First Known Use: 1622

Related to ASSIDUOUS

Synonyms: active, busy, bustling, diligent, employed, engaged, hopping, industrious, laborious, occupied, sedulous, tied-up, working

Antonyms: idle, inactive, unbusy, unemployed, unoccupied

Synonym Discussion of ASSIDUOUS

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>.

ASSIDUOUSLY Defined for Kids