industrious
adjective
in·dus·tri·ous in-ˈdə-strē-əs 
1
: constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent
an industrious worker
2
obsolete : skillful, ingenious
industriously adverb
industriousness noun
Synonyms
- active
- assiduous
- bustling
- busy
- diligent
- employed
- engaged
- hopping
- laborious
- occupied
- sedulous
- tied-up
- working
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He is an industrious worker. an industrious worker who never seems to sleep
Recent Examples on the Web Did this industrious earth sign spend three years perfecting the exact bubble size and quantity for the perfect lightweight explosive pop? 
Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2022 Any number of reasons could explain the absence, like the new pond that formed along the stream, thanks to an industrious group of local beavers. Paighten Harkins, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 After all, that’s how all these sites came to exist in the first place, by industrious Americans driving upon nature and rutting back and forth until the turf was flat enough for a good night’s rest. Outside Online, 3 June 2021 Virgo is the diligent, industrious worker of the zodiac, only wanting to be of service and to contribute to the greater good in some way, whether big or small. Emily Newhouse, Allure, 26 Aug. 2022 Acorn woodpeckers hear the soundless call of approaching winter and become more focused and industrious at gathering and storing acorns in the trunks of large trees. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2022 Composers such as Gustav Mahler, Edward Elgar and Frederick Delius wrote gigantic, industrious works for chorus and orchestra—music of unbounded jubilance, as though the future were a grand and glorious gift just waiting to be opened. Tim Page, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Known for her industrious work ethic, she is known as one of the hardest working members of the royal family, attending hundreds of royal engagements every year. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2022 My background, perspective as a newer resident and zeal will help protect the values and traditions of our industrious town. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2022 See More
Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2022 Any number of reasons could explain the absence, like the new pond that formed along the stream, thanks to an industrious group of local beavers. Paighten Harkins, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 After all, that’s how all these sites came to exist in the first place, by industrious Americans driving upon nature and rutting back and forth until the turf was flat enough for a good night’s rest. Outside Online, 3 June 2021 Virgo is the diligent, industrious worker of the zodiac, only wanting to be of service and to contribute to the greater good in some way, whether big or small. Emily Newhouse, Allure, 26 Aug. 2022 Acorn woodpeckers hear the soundless call of approaching winter and become more focused and industrious at gathering and storing acorns in the trunks of large trees. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2022 Composers such as Gustav Mahler, Edward Elgar and Frederick Delius wrote gigantic, industrious works for chorus and orchestra—music of unbounded jubilance, as though the future were a grand and glorious gift just waiting to be opened. Tim Page, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Known for her industrious work ethic, she is known as one of the hardest working members of the royal family, attending hundreds of royal engagements every year. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2022 My background, perspective as a newer resident and zeal will help protect the values and traditions of our industrious town. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
industrious
adjective
in·dus·tri·ous in-ˈdə-strē-əs
: working hard and steadily
industrious students
industrious
adjective
as in diligent
involved in often constant activity an industrious worker who never seems to sleep Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- diligent
- busy
- engaged
- employed
- occupied
- active
- assiduous
- working
- preoccupied
- laborious
- bustling
- sedulous
- immersed
- hardworking
- hopping
- tied-up
- lively
- energetic
- vibrant
- buzzing
- focused
- untiring
- animated
- absorbed
- indefatigable
- going
- humming
- vigorous
- tireless
- concentrating
- operating
- engrossed
- functioning
- operational
- swamped
- intent
- thriving
- astir
- flourishing
- functional
- operative
- living
- running
- happening
- focussed
- knee-deep
- alive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unemployed
- idle
- unoccupied
- inactive
- free
- sleepy
- latent
- passive
- quiescent
- unbusy
- slow
- inert
- lifeless
- dormant
- dull
- asleep
- dead
- inoperative
- nonoperating
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of industrious are assiduous, busy, diligent, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.
industrious employees
In some situations, the words assiduous and industrious are roughly equivalent. However, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.
assiduous practice
While the synonyms busy and industrious are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.
too busy to spend time with the children
Although the words diligent and industrious have much in common, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.
very diligent in her pursuit of a degree
The words sedulous and industrious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.
a sedulous investigation of the murder
- Cryptomonas
- Cryptomys
- Cryptonemiales
- cryptoneurous
- cryptonym
- cryptonyms
- cryptoperthite
- cryptoperthitic
- Cryptophyceae
- cryptophyceaes
- cryptophytae
- cryptophytas
- cryptophyte
- cryptophytes
- cryptophytic
- cryptoporticus
- cryptoproctae
- cryptoproctas
- cryptopyrrole
- cryptorchid
- cryptorchidies
- cryptorchidism
- cryptorchidisms
- cryptorchids
- cryptorchidyes