Conscientious: meaning, definitions and examples

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conscientious

 

[ ˌkɒnʃiˈɛnʃəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

work ethic

Conscientious is a quality of being very careful to do your work properly and to be honest.

Synonyms

diligent, meticulous, scrupulous, thorough.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
conscientious

Used to describe someone who is very careful to do their work properly and thoroughly, often because they have a strong sense of duty.

  • Sarah is a conscientious student who pays attention to every detail of her assignments
meticulous

Used to describe someone who pays extreme attention to detail, ensuring everything is done perfectly.

  • The artist is meticulous in her work, ensuring every stroke of the brush is perfect
diligent

Refers to someone who works hard and is dedicated to completing tasks, often over a long period of time.

  • John is diligent in his studies, spending hours each night reviewing his notes
thorough

Describes someone or something that is very complete and careful, leaving no detail overlooked.

  • The inspector was thorough in his examination, checking every corner of the building
scrupulous

Refers to someone who is very concerned to avoid doing wrong and always acts with integrity. It can also mean being extremely attentive to detail.

  • A scrupulous report was submitted, highlighting every minor detail and ensuring accuracy

Examples of usage

  • She is a conscientious worker who always meets deadlines.
  • He is known for his conscientious attention to detail.
Context #2 | Adjective

moral decision making

Conscientious describes a person who takes care to do what is right and to avoid doing what is wrong.

Synonyms

ethical, honorable, principled, upright.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
conscientious

Use when describing someone who is very careful and thorough, especially in their duties and responsibilities.

  • She is a conscientious student who always submits her assignments on time
ethical

Use when discussing someone's behavior in terms of moral principles and values, particularly in challenging situations.

  • An ethical journalist checks their sources and avoids spreading false information
upright

Use when describing someone with high moral integrity, often in a personal or social context.

  • He is an upright citizen, always helping others and standing up for what is right
principled

Use when referring to someone who consistently adheres to their moral beliefs and values.

  • She was a principled leader who never compromised her values
honorable

Use when highlighting someone's integrity, often in a commendable or prestigious manner.

  • He made an honorable decision by admitting his mistake and apologizing

Examples of usage

  • She made a conscientious decision to speak up against injustice.
  • His conscientious nature led him to donate to charity regularly.

Translations

Translations of the word "conscientious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 consciencioso

🇮🇳 ईमानदार

🇩🇪 gewissenhaft

🇮🇩 teliti

🇺🇦 сумлінний

🇵🇱 sumienny

🇯🇵 良心的な

🇫🇷 consciencieux

🇪🇸 concienzudo

🇹🇷 vicdanlı

🇰🇷 양심적인

🇸🇦 ضميري

🇨🇿 svědomitý

🇸🇰 svedomitý

🇨🇳 认真的

🇸🇮 vesten

🇮🇸 samviskusamur

🇰🇿 ұқыпты

🇬🇪 სინდისიერი

🇦🇿 vicdanlı

🇲🇽 consciente

Etymology

The word 'conscientious' comes from the Latin word 'conscientia', which means 'knowledge within oneself' or 'a moral sense of right and wrong'. The term has been used in English since the mid-17th century to describe individuals who act according to their conscience and moral principles.

See also: conscientiousness, conscious.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,461 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.