ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Inveterate

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ɪnˈvɛtəɹɪt/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Inveterate is an adjective meaning Firmly established from having been around for a long time; of long standing.

Meaning

Firmly established from having been around for a long time; of long standing.

More Meanings

  1. (of a person) Having had a habit (usually a bad habit) for a long time.
  2. Malignant; virulent; spiteful.
  3. (obsolete) To fix and settle after a long time; to entrench.

Example Sentences

an inveterate habit
an inveterate disease
an inveterate traveller
Near-synonyms: hardened, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool

Word Forms

Synonyms for inveterate

Depending on context, synonyms include bred-in-the-bone, deep-rooted, deep-seated, dyed-in-the-wool, ingrained, long-standing.

Antonyms for inveterate

Common opposites include casual, transient, temporary, momentary, fleeting, impermanent.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include chronic, confirmed, habitual, addicted, long-standing, lasting.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.