industrious

  • 1Industrious — In*dus tri*ous, a. [L. industrius, industriosus: cf. F. industrieux. See {Industry}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Given to industry; characterized by diligence; constantly, regularly, or habitually occupied; busy; assiduous; not slothful or idle; commonly… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2industrious — in‧dus‧tri‧ous [ɪnˈdʌstriəs] adjective always working very hard: • Mexico has an industrious labour force and enormous natural resources. industriousness noun [uncountable] : • Hong Kong workers are known for their industriousness. * * *… …

    Financial and business terms

  • 3industrious — I adjective active, adsiduus, aggressive, ardent, assiduous, busily engaged, busy, dedicated, determined, devoted, diligent, eager, earnest, energetic, enthusiastic, hard working, indefatigable, industrius, intent, laborious, never idle, operose …

    Law dictionary

  • 4industrious — (adj.) characterized by energy, effort, and attention, 1520s (implied in industriously), from M.Fr. industrieux and directly from L.L. industriosus, from L. industria (see INDUSTRY (Cf. industry)). Retains the etymological sense. Related:… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5industrious — diligent, *busy, assiduous, sedulous Analogous words: *active, operative, live, dynamic: persevering, persisting or persistent (see corresponding verbs at PERSEVERE): indefatigable, tireless, untiring, unflagging, unwearied Antonyms: slothful,… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 6industrious — [adj] hardworking active, assiduous, ball of fire*, burning, busy, conscientious, diligent, dynamic, eager, energetic, grind*, in full swing*, intent, involved, jumping, laborious, on the go*, operose, perky*, persevering, persistent, plugging,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 7industrious — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ diligent and hard working. DERIVATIVES industriously adverb industriousness noun …

    English terms dictionary

  • 8industrious — [in dus′trē əs] adj. [< Fr or L: Fr industrieux < L industriosus < industria: see INDUSTRY] 1. Obs. skillful or clever 2. characterized by earnest, steady effort; hardworking; diligent SYN. BUSY industriously adv. industriousness n …

    English World dictionary

  • 9industrious — [[t]ɪndʌ̱striəs[/t]] ADJ GRADED If you describe someone as industrious, you mean they work very hard. She was an industrious and willing worker. Syn: hard working Derived words: industriously ADV GRADED ADV with v Maggie paints industriously all… …

    English dictionary

  • 10industrious — adjective Date: 15th century 1. obsolete skillful, ingenious 2. constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied ; diligent < an industrious worker > Synonyms: see busy • industriously adverb • industriousness …

    New Collegiate Dictionary