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conscientiousness

conscientiousness

3 7.6
Careful, responsible way of working that shows a person wants to do their work well
  • noun
  • /ˌkɒnʃiˈɛnʃəsnəs/
translation icon : conciencia
  • In spite of her conscientiousness and desire to succeed, Sarah often becomes frustrated or distracted while practicing.
  • conscientiousness and agreeableness
  • conscientiousness and openness
  • conscientiousness and neuroticism

There's no conscientiousness at all involved in anything he does.

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Examples

  • We found no differences between the groups on the domains of neuroticism, openness, or conscientiousness (Table 2).

    Academic text (2001)
  • Barrick, Mount, and Strauss (1993) showed a relationship between conscientiousness and job performance.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Now people low in conscientiousness often struggle as students.

  • A second potential source of error is the student's conscientiousness in completing the survey.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A job done with conscientiousness is a job that endures.

  • The analysis further examines these perceptions in relation to core Swedish cultural ideals of conscientiousness.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Likewise, Cramer and Jantz-Sell (2003) found conscientiousness to be significantly higher among college student leaders than nonleaders.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I was thankful for my surgeon's conscientiousness, but also—I don't mind telling you—extremely frightened and upset.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Her conscientiousness in completing tasks on time earned her the respect of her colleagues.

  • The teacher appreciated his conscientiousness, as he always submitted his assignments with great attention to detail.

Synonyms

responsibility
vsconscientiousness
2.7

A duty to do something and answer for what you do

adds moral strictness and close attention beyond basic accountability
diligence
vsconscientiousness
60 4.1

Careful, steady work that helps you reach a goal

adds moral duty and a sense of rightness to that steady effort
carefulness
vsconscientiousness
1 2.1

Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or harm

includes moral responsibility and thoroughness beyond simple caution
meticulousness
vsconscientiousness
1 7.5

A quality of being very careful about small details

emphasizes duty and moral responsibility rather than only fine detail
scrupulousness
vsconscientiousness
7.7

Careful attention to doing what is right and to small details

is broader, adding general duty and reliable conduct beyond moral detail
scrupulosity
vsconscientiousness
9.6

Careful attention to do what is morally right and avoid mistakes

is wider, covering careful work and duty rather than only moral fear
dutifulness
vsconscientiousness
5.2

Carefully doing the duties you are expected to do

is broader, adding moral carefulness and thoroughness beyond mere duty
responsibleness
vsconscientiousness
5.1

Careful and reliable way of acting that shows a person can be trusted with duties

emphasizes ethical motive and precise care in addition to dependability
heedfulness
vsconscientiousness
7.9

Being careful and paying attention to what you must do

is wider, adding moral motivation and sustained thoroughness to attention
painstakingness
vsconscientiousness
7.8

Being very careful and doing every small part of a job well

also includes duty and a moral sense guiding that careful effort
punctiliousness
vsconscientiousness
  • Formal
9.9

Careful attention to small details and correct behavior

is broader, stressing responsible duty rather than strict formality
sedulousness
vsconscientiousness
  • Formal
9.9

Careful attention and steady effort that help someone do small things well

adds moral purpose and responsibility beyond merely steady effort

Antonyms

Failing to do required duties and causing problems for others

16 2.8

Lack of attention that causes mistakes or accidents

Not being careful or responsible about doing what is right

How Conscientious

conscientiousness
3 7.6
diligence
60 4.1
carelessness
16 2.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

conscientiousness = conscientious (semi-transparent) = conscience + ious + ness

Forming a noun from the adjective 'conscientious' with the productive suffix '-ness' yields the meaning 'the quality or state of being conscientious' in a straightforward way.

Etymology

Conscientiousness comes from the word conscience, the inner feeling that tells you 'right and wrong', and that older word is built from con- and scire meaning 'with' and 'to know'. So, conscientiousness is being careful and responsible because you 'know' and want to do what is right.