Basic Details
Word: Conscientious
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Always careful to do things well and to follow rules.
Synonyms: Diligent, meticulous, careful
Antonyms: Negligent, careless, lazy
Idioms and Phrases
- Conscientious objector: A person who refuses to serve in the armed forces due to their moral beliefs. Example: "He became a conscientious objector because he believed in peace."
- To take a conscientious approach: To do something carefully and thoughtfully. Example: "She took a conscientious approach to her studies, ensuring she understood everything thoroughly."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The conscientious student always completed her homework on time and double-checked her work for mistakes.
Example 2: His conscientious nature made him an excellent team member, as he always looked out for others.
Example 3: The coach praised the players for their conscientious efforts during practice, noting their commitment to improvement.
Fun Fact
The word "conscientious" comes from the Latin word "conscientia," which means "knowledge within oneself." This highlights the idea of being aware of one's actions and duties.
Famous Quote
"Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and conscientious effort." Colin Powell
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "conscientious" mean?
a) Careless
b) Always careful to do things well
c) Uninformed
d) Uncertain
Answer: b) Always careful to do things well
2. Which of these is a synonym of "conscientious"?
a) Lazy
b) Diligent
c) Careless
d) Reckless
Answer: b) Diligent
3. Which is an antonym of "conscientious"?
a) Meticulous
b) Careful
c) Negligent
d) Thorough
Answer: c) Negligent
4. Which sentence uses "conscientious" correctly?
a) He was conscientious about his studies and often forgot his homework.
b) She took a conscientious approach to her project and delivered it on time.
c) His conscientious nature made him skip all the responsibilities.
d) The dog was conscientious when playing outside.
Answer: b) She took a conscientious approach to her project and delivered it on time.
5. What does "conscientious objector" refer to?
a) A person who is very lazy
b) A person who refuses military service for moral reasons
c) A type of plant
d) A person who is careless
Answer: b) A person who refuses military service for moral reasons
