How to pronounce diligent
Say it like DIL-ih-junt. Diligent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce diligent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIL
- ih
- junt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Diligent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- juntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of diligent
American and British speakers say diligent in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ in the US and /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DIL-ih-junt.
What does diligent mean?
- Performing with industrious concentration; hard-working and focused.“Scientists are very diligent in their work.”
Where does diligent come from?
From Middle English diligent, from Old French diligent, from Latin dīligēns (“careful, attentive, diligent”), present participle of dīligō (“to love, esteem much”, literally “to choose, select”), from dī-, dis- (“apart”) + legō (“to choose”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying diligent
How do you pronounce diligent?
Say DIL-ih-junt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/. In British English it is /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in diligent?
Diligent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIL). Broken into parts: DIL · ih · junt.
Do Americans and Brits say diligent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ and the British form is /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.