conscientious

adjective

con·​sci·​en·​tious ˌkän(t)-shē-ˈen(t)-shəs 

1

: meticulous, careful

a conscientious listener

2

: governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience : scrupulous

a conscientious public servant

conscientiously adverb

Did you know?

According to American writer and editor H. L. Mencken, "Conscience is the inner voice which warns us someone may be looking." A person who is conscientious makes sure that if others are watching, they approve of what they see. This is true for someone who is “governed by their conscience” as the oldest sense of the word is defined—as in “a conscientious objector to the war”—but it is also true for the conscientious person paying close, careful attention to the task at hand. Conscientious came to English from French, centuries after Middle English had adopted conscience from Old French; both ultimately come from Latin scire, “to know.”

Synonyms

• conscionable
• ethical
• honest
• honorable
• just
• moral
• principled
• scrupulous

Choose the Right Synonym for conscientious

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right.

upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments

scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Examples of conscientious in a Sentence

He was a good friend to his comrades, a conscientious leader mindful of his men's needs; an upright family man with strong, bright, proud children … —Tom Clancy, Without Remorse, 1994

Because Puckett was a conscientious lieutenant … his men did not have to stint on their fire. He had made sure that every man was carrying a basic load of ammunition and then some to spare … —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988

He was shifty about money matters, not conscientious about returning advances, fulfilling contracts, reading manuscripts. —Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987

She has always been a very conscientious worker.

He was conscientious about following the doctor's orders.

Recent Examples on the Web

Erewhon is expanding to so many locations that the chain is bound to suffer the fate of Whole Foods and be replaced by a new, more conscientious iteration of the clean-eating superfood movement. —Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

For more information about the procedures foreign persons and U.S. citizens without a social security number due to conscientious religious objection must follow to obtain a PTIN, check out Rev. Proc. 2010-41. EFINs Don’t confuse your PTIN with your EFIN. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Generally, just do what inspires you in a conscientious way. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2024

Having unspooled at Toronto before scooping the Best Director prize in the main competition at San Sebastian, the film had its home-turf premiere in London this month — though a lengthy global festival tour assuredly awaits, while conscientious indie distributors will take interest. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see conscience

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing conscientious

• conscientious objection
• conscientious objector

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Kids Definition

conscientious

adjective

con·​sci·​en·​tious ˌkän-chē-ˈen-chəs 

1

: guided by or agreeing with one's conscience : scrupulous

2

: using or done with careful attention

conscientiously adverb

conscientiousness noun