conscientious

adjective con·sci·en·tious \ˌkän(t)-shē-ˈen(t)-shəs\

: very careful about doing what you are supposed to do : concerned with doing something correctly

Full Definition of CONSCIENTIOUS

: governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience : scrupulous <a conscientious public servant>

: meticulous, careful <a conscientious listener>

— con·sci·en·tious·ly adverb

— con·sci·en·tious·ness noun

See conscientious defined for English-language learners

See conscientious defined for kids

Examples of CONSCIENTIOUS

He was a good friend to his comrades, a conscientious leader mindful of his men's needs; an upright family man with strong, bright, proud children … —Tom Clancy, Without Remorse, 1994
Because Puckett was a conscientious lieutenant … his men did not have to stint on their fire. He had made sure that every man was carrying a basic load of ammunition and then some to spare … —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
He was shifty about money matters, not conscientious about returning advances, fulfilling contracts, reading manuscripts. —Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
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Origin of CONSCIENTIOUS

(see conscience)

First Known Use: 1576

Related to CONSCIENTIOUS

Synonyms: conscionable, ethical, honest, honorable, just, moral, principled, scrupulous

Antonyms: cutthroat, dishonest, dishonorable, immoral, unconscionable, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unscrupulous

Synonym Discussion of CONSCIENTIOUS

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles <a stern and upright minister>. honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, fairness <known for being honest in business dealings>. just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable <workers given just compensation>. conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience <conscientious in the completion of her assignments> <scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will>. honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty <a difficult but honorable decision>.

CONSCIENTIOUSLY Defined for Kids