conscientious
/ˌkɒn.ʃiˈen.ʃəs/Describes a person who takes their duties very seriously and tries hard to do everything correctly and completely. A conscientious person acts from a strong inner sense of what is right, not just to impress others.
- She is a conscientious student who double-checks every answer.
- The conscientious nurse never skipped a single step in the procedure.
- His conscientious approach to work earned him a promotion.
Adinary Nuance
Conscientious sits close to diligent, meticulous, thorough, and hardworking — but it carries a moral weight the others do not. A diligent person works steadily and persistently; a conscientious person does so because their sense of duty or conscience demands it. You can call someone diligent without implying any ethical drive, but calling them conscientious suggests they would feel genuinely guilty if they cut corners. Meticulous focuses on precision and fine detail, while conscientious is broader — it covers care, responsibility, and moral commitment. In IELTS and academic writing, conscientious is the strongest choice when you want to praise not just someone's effort but their integrity in doing the work.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tận tâm
- Spanish
- concienzudo
- Chinese
- 认真
- Japanese
- 誠実な
- Korean
- 성실한
Etymology
From Latin "conscientia" (inner knowledge, conscience) through French "consciencieux," entering English in the early 17th century. The root "con-" (with) + "scire" (to know) suggests awareness of one's own moral standards.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between conscientious and diligent?
- Both mean working hard and carefully, but 'conscientious' adds a moral layer — it suggests a person acts from a sense of duty or conscience. 'Diligent' simply describes steady, persistent effort without implying any ethical motivation.
- Is 'conscientious' a formal word? Can I use it in everyday speech?
- It leans formal and is very common in academic, professional, and IELTS writing. Native speakers do use it in conversation, but it sounds slightly elevated. In everyday talk, people more often say 'hardworking' or 'careful' instead.
- How do I use 'conscientious' in an IELTS essay?
- Use it to describe a person or group that acts with strong responsibility and care. For example: 'Conscientious employees are more likely to maintain high standards even without supervision.' It works well in body paragraphs discussing work, education, or civic duty.
- What does 'conscientious objector' mean?
- A conscientious objector is someone who refuses to serve in the military because their personal moral or religious beliefs make them oppose war or violence. The word 'conscientious' here emphasizes that the refusal comes from a deep inner conviction, not fear or convenience.