diligently
gb/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli/ us/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
B2
action
1
with steady hard work
Doing something with a lot of effort over time.
Usage pattern:
[someone] work/study/practice diligently (on [something])
Common mistake:
Learners often use the adjective *diligent* instead of the adverb *diligently* to describe an action (e.g., 'She studied diligent' → 'studied diligently').
Synonyms
assiduously (More formal and less common.)
|
hard (More informal; focuses on effort rather than persistence.)
|
steadily (Emphasizes consistency over intensity.)
Antonyms
lazily (Without effort or motivation.)
|
halfheartedly (With little enthusiasm or commitment.)
Collocations
work diligently
|study diligently
|practice diligently
|train diligently
|prepare diligently
|pursue a goal diligently
|save diligently
|build diligently
|apply diligently
|research diligently
Themes
work
|education
|personal_development
Examples
- She worked diligently for months to finish the project on time.
- If you practice diligently, you’ll see progress much faster.
- They diligently prepared for the trial.
Learner examples
- He studies diligently every day.
- She worked diligently on her homework.
adverb
formal
B2
action
2
with careful attention
Doing something very carefully and not missing details.
Usage pattern:
[someone] check/review/monitor [something] diligently
Common mistake:
Don’t use *diligently* for physical speed; it describes careful effort, not doing something quickly.
Synonyms
carefully (General attention; not necessarily long-term effort.)
|
thoroughly (Emphasizes completeness.)
|
conscientiously (Emphasizes duty and responsibility.)
Antonyms
carelessly (Without enough attention or caution.)
|
superficially (Only at a surface level; not thorough.)
Collocations
check diligently
|review diligently
|monitor diligently
|inspect diligently
|investigate diligently
|read diligently
|listen diligently
|take notes diligently
|record diligently
|verify diligently
Themes
accuracy
|work
|communication
Examples
- The accountant diligently checked every figure before submitting the report.
- Please read the instructions diligently before you start.
- Investigators diligently reviewed the security footage.
Learner examples
- I diligently checked my answers.
- She listened diligently in class.
adverb
formal
C1
action
3
regularly and reliably
Doing something regularly and not forgetting.
Usage pattern:
[someone] take/follow/attend [something] diligently
Common mistake:
In many cases, *consistently* or *regularly* sounds more natural than *diligently* in casual speech.
Synonyms
consistently (Focuses on regularity rather than effort.)
|
faithfully (Emphasizes loyalty or strict adherence.)
|
regularly (Focuses on frequency; less about care.)
Antonyms
irregularly (Not done on a steady schedule.)
|
inconsistently (Done unevenly, with lapses.)
Collocations
take medication diligently
|follow a routine diligently
|follow instructions diligently
|keep records diligently
|pay bills diligently
|attend meetings diligently
|track expenses diligently
|stick to a schedule diligently
|observe rules diligently
|complete tasks diligently
Themes
health
|habits
|responsibility
Examples
- He diligently took his medication every morning.
- The company diligently complied with the new safety rules.
- She diligently kept a log of her expenses.
Learner examples
- He diligently followed the doctor’s advice.
Grammar
Dictionary form
diligently
IPA
GB/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli/
US/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli/
Syllables & stress
di - li - gently (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (di)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: diligently
- Plural: diligentlies
Word family
Forms
diligentlies
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
diligently document
1/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli dˈɑkjəmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
record details carefully
To write down details carefully.
Examples
- She diligently documented every incident in a notebook.
- The researchers diligently documented their findings.
diligently follow instructions
1/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli fˈɑloʊ ɪnstɹˈʌkʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
follow instructions carefully
To do what the instructions say, very carefully.
Examples
- Please diligently follow instructions to avoid damaging the device.
- He diligently followed the safety instructions.
diligently follow up
1/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli fˈɑloʊ ˈʌp/
fixed phrase
business
follow up carefully and persistently
To contact someone again and keep checking until it’s finished.
Examples
- Customer support diligently followed up on my complaint.
- We diligently followed up with the supplier about the delay.
diligently monitor
1/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli mˈɑnətɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
monitor closely over time
To watch something carefully and often.
Examples
- Doctors diligently monitored her condition overnight.
- The team diligently monitored system performance.
diligently pursue
1/dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli pɚsˈu/
fixed phrase
formal
pursue a goal steadily
To work steadily to reach a goal.
Examples
- She diligently pursued a career in medicine.
- The team diligently pursued every lead.
search diligently
1/sˈɚt͡ʃ dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli/
fixed phrase
formal
search carefully and thoroughly
To look very carefully for something.
Examples
- Rescuers searched diligently for survivors.
- I searched diligently for the email but couldn’t find it.
study diligently
1/stˈʌdi dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli/
fixed phrase
formal
study with steady effort
To study very hard and carefully.
Examples
- He studied diligently for the entrance exam.
- If you study diligently, you can improve quickly.
work diligently
1/wˈɚk dˈɪlɪd͡ʒəntli/
fixed phrase
formal
work with steady effort
To work very hard and carefully.
Examples
- They worked diligently to meet the deadline.
- I’m working diligently on the final report.