What does diligently mean?
Diligently is an adverb meaning with steady, earnest, and careful effort. It describes actions performed with persistent attention rather than haste or carelessness: one might work diligently on a project, search diligently for evidence, or study diligently for an exam. The word carries a distinctly positive connotation, suggesting conscientiousness, reliability, and respect for the task at hand, which makes it common in professional, academic, and legal writing as well as in everyday speech praising someone's character. It derives from the Latin diligere, meaning to value highly or attend to carefully, and belongs to a family that includes diligent and diligence. Because it emphasizes sustained application over brilliance or speed, diligently often appears alongside verbs like work, pursue, apply oneself, and persevere. It is a useful word for distinguishing genuine, patient effort from mere activity.
adverbIn a manner showing steady, earnest, and careful effort; with persistent attention and conscientious hard work.
- With sustained, careful effort; in an industrious, attentive manner.
"She diligently reviewed every line of the contract before signing."
"The students diligently prepared for their final examinations."
"Investigators diligently combed through the archives for any trace of the missing documents."
Diligently traces back to a Latin verb that literally meant to "love apart" — to pick something out and prize it — so working diligently originally meant caring enough to choose your task and stick with it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of diligently
Diligently comes from the adjective diligent, borrowed into Middle English from Old French, ultimately from the Latin verb diligere, meaning to esteem highly, love, or attend to carefully — formed from dis- (apart) and legere (to choose or gather). The adverb form developed in English following the usual -ly pattern, appearing by the early modern period. It shares its root with diligence and, more distantly, with words such as lecture and legible, which also descend from legere.
Related word forms
How diligently is actually used
Neutral-to-formal register, common in professional, academic, and legal contexts. It carries a positive connotation of reliability and thoroughness, and is often used to praise sustained effort over time rather than bursts of energy. It typically modifies verbs of working, studying, searching, or pursuing.
Easily confused with diligently
"Deligently" is not a standard English word; the correct spelling is "diligently", from Latin diligere (to value highly, attend to).