industrious

adjective

in·​dus·​tri·​ous in-ˈdə-strē-əs How to pronounce industrious (audio)
1
: constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent
an industrious worker
2
obsolete : skillful, ingenious
industriously adverb
industriousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for industrious

busy, industrious, diligent, assiduous, sedulous mean actively engaged or occupied.

busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Examples of industrious in a Sentence

He is an industrious worker. an industrious worker who never seems to sleep
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These Southeast Asian canopy dwellers are also among the most industrious and organized foragers in the rainforest treetops. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 Ukrainians are a good-humored, industrious and resourceful people who finally achieved independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, precipitated by the aggressive stance against communism by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 Mir is more ambitious and industrious, having molded himself into the ideal successor to his father’s corporate leadership. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025 Now that someone is finally acting, Democrats are pretending the bureaucracy is as industrious and virtuous as Santa’s Workshop and any dollar that gets cut means another kiddie won’t have a Christmas. Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for industrious

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of industrious was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Industrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/industrious. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

industrious

adjective
in·​dus·​tri·​ous in-ˈdəs-trē-əs How to pronounce industrious (audio)
: constantly or regularly active or occupied
an industrious farmer
industriously adverb
industriousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on industrious

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