inveterate

Dictionary

inveterate |inˈvetərit|

adjective [ attrib. ]

having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change : he was an inveterate gambler. • (of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change. DERIVATIVES inveteracy |-rəsē| noun inveterately adverb ORIGIN late Middle English (referring to disease, in the sense [of long standing, chronic] ): from Latin inveteratus ‘made old,’ past participle of inveterare (based on vetus, veter- ‘old’ ).

Thesaurus

inveterate

adjective

1 an inveterate gambler confirmed, hardened, incorrigible, addicted, habitual, compulsive, obsessive; informal pathological, chronic.

2 an inveterate liberal staunch, steadfast, committed, devoted, dedicated, dyed-in-the-wool, out and out, diehard, hard-core. 3 inveterate corruption ingrained, deep-seated, deep-rooted, entrenched, congenital, ineradicable, incurable.