Definition of inveterate

Email this page to a friend

< investment bank

inviable >

in·vet·er·ate    (n-vtr-t) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Firmly and long established; deep-rooted: inveterate preferences.
2. Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual: an inveterate liar. See Synonyms at chronic.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin invetertus, past participle of inveterr, to grow old, endure : in-, causative pref. ; see in-² + vetus, veter-, old; see wet-² in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
in·veter·a·cy  (-r--s) KEY  or in·veter·ate·ness(Noun), in·veter·ate·ly(Adverb)