Etymology Map
Back to all words

Diligent

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means showing care in one's work

Where does the word "diligent" come from? It comes from Latin diligens, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
diligens
Latin · ancient
"careful, attentive"
from 'diligere', to value
2
Stage 2 of 3
diligent
Old French · medieval
"diligent"
Latin 'diligere' meant to single out and love; the sense shifted from love to care to steady effort
3
Stage 3 of 3
diligent
English · 1300s
"careful"
'due diligence' dates from the 1400s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Diligent’s story begins in Latin: diligens meant “careful, attentive.” From 'diligere', to value. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as diligent. Latin 'diligere' meant to single out and love; the sense shifted from love to care to steady effort. It reached English by 1300s as diligent. 'due diligence' dates from the 1400s. Today, diligent means showing care in one's work.