“Sedulous” stems from the Latin “sedulus,” meaning “zealous,” but the English words aren’t quite synonyms. “Sedulous” is an adjective that implies hardworking diligence, while “zealous” is an adjective to describe enthusiastic pursuit, almost to the point of fanaticism. Even though the word “sedulous” offers a positive connotation of the widely cherished value of perseverance, it’s not a commonly used word. Words such as “hardworking,” “diligent,” “meticulous,” and “thorough” are used more frequently to describe sedulous individuals.