industrious

Everyday

Hard-working; always busy and putting in steady effort. tree →

In the lessons

A praising word for people and animals: ants, bees and beavers are called industrious. In school reports, «industrious» praises a pupil who works steadily. In stories it contrasts with lazy characters, like the busy Mole spring-cleaning versus idle Toad. Note: «industrial» (about factories) is a different word.

Examples

• Ants are industrious little creatures. tree →
• Our teacher wrote that I am an industrious pupil. tree →
• The industrious beavers built a dam across the stream. tree →
• Mole was industrious, spring-cleaning his little home. tree →
• The industrious baker was up at four every morning. tree →
• The fable of the ant and the grasshopper praises the industrious ant. tree →
• And she was industrious and thoughtful. tree →

Note

Adjective from «industry» in its old meaning of hard work. Adverb: industriously; noun: industriousness. Trap: «industrial» means to do with factories and industry; «industrious» means hard-working.

In Jewish tradition

It describes Jeroboam as a hard worker whom Solomon put in charge of labourers.

Interpretation. Jeroboam's skill brought him power, but tradition says he later led Israel into sin, so ability needs to be joined with goodness.

Examples

• And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour; and Solomon saw the young man that he was industrious, and he gave him charge over all the labour of the house of Joseph. (Prophets 1KI.11.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adjective from «industry» in its old meaning of hard work. Adverb: industriously; noun: industriousness. Trap: «industrial» means to do with factories and industry; «industrious» means hard-working.