diligent

UK: ˈdɪlɪdʒənt | US: ˈdɪlədʒənt

Definition
  1. adj. showing careful and persistent effort

  2. adj. characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic work

Structure
dili <choose/love (from Latin *diligere*)>gent <present participle suffix (from Latin *-entem*)>
Etymology

The word "diligent" originates from the Latin diligentem (present participle of diligere), meaning "to love, choose, or value highly." The morpheme dili- reflects the idea of careful selection or devotion, while -gent marks it as an adjective describing someone who embodies this quality. Over time, the meaning shifted from "loving/choosing carefully" to "persistently hardworking," emphasizing the dedication behind such effort.

Examples
  1. She was a diligent student who always completed her assignments on time.

  2. The team's diligent research led to groundbreaking discoveries.

  3. His diligent attention to detail made him an excellent editor.

  4. Farmers must be diligent in tending to their crops.

  5. The project succeeded thanks to their diligent planning.