Assiduous
/əˈsɪdʒuəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Assiduous means showing great care, effort, and attention over a long time. It describes a person who is very diligent (works hard and does not stop), focused, and persistent when doing a task or learning something new.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Showing careful and continuous effort in work or study
- •She was assiduous in completing her homework every day.
- •The assiduous artist spent months perfecting the painting.
- •His assiduous attention to details impressed the teacher.
Being persistent and not giving up easily
- •The team’s assiduous training helped them win the championship.
- •He was assiduous in practicing the piano despite difficulties.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "assiduous" like "hardworking," but with a stronger idea of being careful and never stopping
- ✓Picture a student studying every day, writing notes neatly, and checking work again and again
- ✓It’s the feeling when you keep trying and don’t give up even if something is difficult
- ✓Sounds like "a-SID-ju-us" → imagine someone sitting beside (side) a big book, reading carefully for hours
- ✓Think of a gardener who waters plants every day without missing, making sure each plant grows well
- ✓NOT like "lazy" (no effort), assiduous means the opposite: full of effort and care
- ✓NOT like "quick" or "rushed," assiduous means slow, steady, and careful work
- ✓NOT like "random" or "careless," assiduous means very planned and focused
Try Other Words
- •Diligent: showing careful and steady effort (Use when you want to emphasize steady work but less formal)
- •Persistent: continuing firmly despite difficulties (Use when focusing on not giving up)
- •Careful: paying attention to avoid mistakes (Use when focusing on attention to detail)
- •Conscientious: wishing to do what is right, especially in work (Use when emphasizing moral responsibility along with effort)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "assiduus" meaning "constant, persistent," from "ad-" (to) + "sedere" (to sit) → literally "to sit near"
- •Etymology: Latin origin, describing someone who sits close and pays constant attention
- •Historical development: used in English since the 1600s to mean constant and careful attention to work or duty
- •Modern usage: common in formal writing and speech to describe careful, steady effort in work or study
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when being assiduous helped you succeed in a difficult task?
•How is being assiduous different from simply working hard or quickly?
Fill in the blanks
1.She was assiduous in ___ her notes every day to prepare for the exam.
2.His assiduous ___ to the project made sure no mistakes were left.
3.Unlike a careless worker, an assiduous person pays ___ attention to details.
4.They worked assiduous___ through the night to finish the report on time.
5.Being assiduous means you do not ___ easily, even when the work is hard.
6.The teacher praised her assiduous ___ because she never missed a class.
7.Assiduous effort often leads to ___ success after long practice.