Words / C1

konsh-ee-ENSH-uh-s/ˌkɒnʃiˈenʃəs/

Conscientious means careful to do your duty well and thoroughly — a habit of care, not a single burst of effort. Careful is everyday; diligent is a close synonym (hard work over time). A conscientious objector is a specialised historical and legal sense, and conscientiously is the adverb. In speech, thorough and reliable is more natural, and the word is almost always praise, unlike fussy.

Meaning

Careful to do your work well and thoroughly.

Examples

• “She is a conscientious student who checks every answer.”
• “A conscientious marker checked every citation.”
• “She is conscientious rather than flashy: work in on time, notes complete.”

Good to know

Careful and thorough as a habit. Close: diligent. Everyday: thorough / reliable. Almost always positive.

Near in meaning

diligent

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