Assiduous

Saturday, October 4, 2025
Word of the Day

What is Assiduous?

adjective
Showing great care, attention, and perseverance.

Pronunciation

US pronunciation: /əˈsɪdʒ.u.əs/
UK pronunciation: /əˈsɪd.ju.əs/
Slow pronunciation: uh-SIJ-oo-us

Meaning Explained

Assiduous conveys diligent effort sustained over time.

Why This Word?

Chosen to honor persistence as a quiet but powerful virtue.

Examples of Use

Here's how this word appears in everyday language:

  • He was assiduous in his studies.
  • The gardener was assiduous in tending his plants.
  • Her assiduous work ethic impressed her mentors.

Word Origins

Latin assiduus “constant, persevering”

From assidere “to sit by.”

First appearance in English: mid-16th century

Word Family

Related forms of this word:

  • Noun: assiduity

    Her assiduity won her top marks.

  • Adjective: diligent

    He was a diligent worker.

  • Adjective: industrious

    She was industrious and clever.

Around the World

How this word appears in other languages:

  • Spanish: asiduo
  • French: assidu
  • German: emsig
  • Italian: assiduo
  • Portuguese: assíduo

If you Already Know This Word

If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:

Diligent

Close synonym; diligent is more common.

Arduous

Arduous means difficult; assiduous means persistent.

Industrious

Industrious emphasizes productivity; assiduous emphasizes care.

Fun Facts

  • The Latin root suggests “sitting near” — staying with a task.
  • Assiduous and “sedentary” share the root *sedere*, to sit.

Cultural Usage

  • Teachers value assiduous students who persist.
  • Biographers praise assiduous writers who revised endlessly.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes confused with “arduous”; assiduous is steady, arduous is difficult.

Micro Story

She was praised for her assiduous research.