different between purposeful vs assiduous

English

Etymology

purpose +? -ful

Adjective

purposeful (comparative more purposeful, superlative most purposeful)

1. Having purpose; intentional.
2. Having a purpose in mind; resolute; determined.

Synonyms

• determined
• nose to the grindstone
• focused

Derived terms

• purposefully
• purposefulness

Related terms

• purposive

Translations

English

Etymology

From Latin assiduus from assidere (“to sit down to”), from ad- (“to”) + sedere (“to sit”).

Cognate (via assidere) to assess.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??s?dju??s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??s?d?u??s/

Adjective

assiduous (comparative more assiduous, superlative most assiduous)

1. Hard-working, diligent or regular (in attendance or work); industrious.

   Synonyms: meticulous, diligent, sedulous; see also Thesaurus:industrious

   • 1917, P. G. Wodehouse, "Bill the Bloodhound" in The Man With Two Left Feet and Other Stories:

     A good deal of assiduous attention had enabled Henry to win this place in her affections.

   • 2009, Will Pavia, "Allen Klein, accountant turned manager of the Beatles, dies at 77," The Times (UK), 6 July:

     Klein rose to prominence in the 1960s by assiduous application of accounting methods to the music industry.

Usage notes

• Since the 18th century, this term has sometimes carried a connotation of servility.

Derived terms

• assiduously
• assiduousness

Related terms

Translations

References