Conscientious
/ˌkɒnʃiˈenʃəs/
Definitions
Motivated by a sense of duty; careful and painstaking; meticulous; scrupulous; governed by conscience.
/ˌkɒnʃiˈenʃəs/
Governed by or done according to one's inner sense of right and wrong.
The conscientious librarian meticulously organized the books.
💡 Simply: Imagine you always do your homework, even when you don't feel like it. You double-check your answers, and try your hardest because you know it's the right thing to do. That's being conscientious! It's like having a good inner guide that makes you want to do things well.
👶 For kids: Being conscientious means you always try your best and do what you know is right, even if it's hard. It's like having a good helper inside you!
More Examples
She was a conscientious worker who never missed a deadline.
Conscientious citizens always pay their taxes on time.
How It's Used
"A conscientious employee always completes their tasks on time and with attention to detail."
"The conscientious student studies diligently for all their exams."
From Late Latin *conscientiōsus*, from *conscientia* (conscience). It entered English in the early 17th century.
The term has been used to describe individuals who follow their moral compass, often in the face of societal pressures, and is closely associated with religious and philosophical concepts.
Memory tip
Think of a CONSCIENCE-ious person: they are guided by their inner voice and do what's right.
Word Origin
"consciousness, knowledge, sense of right and wrong"