First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
inveterate
adjective in·vet·er·ate \in-ˈve-t(ə-)rət\
: always or often doing something specified
: always or often happening or existing
Full Definition of INVETERATE
1
: firmly established by long persistence <the inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious>
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Origin of INVETERATE
Middle English, from Latin inveteratus, from past participle of inveterare to age (v.t.), from in- + veter-, vetus old — more at wether
Related to INVETERATE
- Synonyms
- bred-in-the-bone, confirmed, deep, deep-rooted, deep-seated, entrenched (also intrenched), hard-core, rooted, settled
Synonym Discussion of INVETERATE
inveterate, confirmed, chronic mean firmly established. inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable <an inveterate smoker>. confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform <a confirmed bachelor>. chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome <a chronic complainer>.
Medical Dictionary
inveterate
adjective in·vet·er·ate \in-ˈvet-ə-rət, -ˈve-trət\
Medical Definition of INVETERATE
1
: marked by long duration or frequent recurrence <inveterate bursitis>
2
: confirmed in a habit : habitual 2 <an inveterate smoker>
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