Word
conscientious
Phoneticscon·sci·en·tious, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑnʃiˈɛnʃəs/
UK/kˌɒnsɪˈɛnʃəs/
Definitions
01thorough and hardworking
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. working hard and being very careful to do your job or task correctly.
adj. characterised by extreme care, thoroughness, and effort in performing tasks.
“A conscientious student always checks their work for mistakes before handing it in.”
“The researcher was exceptionally conscientious, documenting every minor variable to ensure the experiment could be replicated by others.”
Usage
Typically used to describe workers, students, or the quality of the work itself.
Synonyms
02guided by morals
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. doing what you believe is right and honest, even when it is difficult.
adj. governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience; principled.
“He was a conscientious person who refused to lie, even to protect himself.”
“The judge was known for her conscientious approach to the law, always weighing the moral implications of her rulings.”
Teaching tip
Often appears in the phrase 'conscientious objector', referring to someone who refuses to join the military for moral reasons.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“I am lucky to be with a very good agency , which only employs highly competent and conscientious staff (from all over the world).” “She added that conscientious objection in Wales – where staff can refuse to take part in care on moral or religious grounds – was "widespread" and making a "bad situation" with provision worse.” Etymology
From Middle French conscientieux, from Medieval Latin cōnscientiōsus. Its English equivalent could possibly be analyzed as conscient + -ous. See more at conscience.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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