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CONSCIENTIOUS
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Characterized by extreme care and great effort
Example:
scrupulous attention to details
Synonyms:
conscientious; painstaking; scrupulous
Classified under:
Similar:
careful (exercising caution or showing care or attention)
Derivation:
conscientiousness (the trait of being painstaking and careful)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Guided by or in accordance with conscience or sense of right and wrong
Example:
a conscientious decision to speak out about injustice
Classified under:
Antonym:
unconscientious (not conscientious)
Derivation:
conscience (conformity to one's own sense of right conduct)
conscience (a feeling of shame when you do something immoral)
conscientiousness (the quality of being in accord with the dictates of conscience)
Context examples:
Whereas, in my opinion, by her taking so much notice of you, and treating you in this kind of way, she has given you a sort of claim on her future consideration, which a conscientious woman would not disregard.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
I felt a conscientious solicitude for Adele's welfare and progress, and a quiet liking for her little self: just as I cherished towards Mrs. Fairfax a thankfulness for her kindness, and a pleasure in her society proportionate to the tranquil regard she had for me, and the moderation of her mind and character.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
You can't think how it elevates him in my opinion, to know for certain that he's really conscientious!
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
I was sure St. John Rivers—pure-lived, conscientious, zealous as he was—had not yet found that peace of God which passeth all understanding: he had no more found it, I thought, than had I with my concealed and racking regrets for my broken idol and lost elysium—regrets to which I have latterly avoided referring, but which possessed me and tyrannised over me ruthlessly.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
I have therefore forborne to mention them to Miss Spenlow's father; looking severely at him—knowing how little disposition there usually is in such cases, to acknowledge the conscientious discharge of duty.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
“My son's tutor is a conscientious gentleman; and if I had not implicit reliance on my son, I should have reliance on him.”
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Really conscientious?
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The other girl, Daisy, made an attempt to rise—she leaned slightly forward with a conscientious expression—then she laughed, an absurd, charming little laugh, and I laughed too and came forward into the room.
(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
I took dinner usually at the Yale Club—for some reason it was the gloomiest event of my day—and then I went upstairs to the library and studied investments and securities for a conscientious hour.
(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
