What does inveterate mean?
Inveterate is an adjective for a habit, tendency, or attitude that is deeply established and persistent. Its most familiar use describes a person who has followed the same course for so long that it has become characteristic: an inveterate smoker, gambler, or opponent. It can also characterize something long-standing and firmly rooted, as in “an inveterate habit.” The word carries a formal, often faintly disapproving tone when it marks undesirable conduct such as habitual dishonesty, but it can also give emphatic approval when describing an enduring allegiance or enthusiasm. Inveterate implies more than simply frequent occurrence: it suggests that repetition has made the behavior settled and resistant to change. The term is common in British and American English and is especially useful when distinguishing a firmly entrenched tendency from an occasional one.
Habitual or firmly established, especially in the case of a person who has pursued a behavior or held an attitude over a long period.
"The club was known for its inveterate opposition to proposed changes."
To make a habit, tendency, attitude, or practice firmly established.
"Years of repetition inveterated the habit of checking the weather before leaving home."
Rare and literary; modern usage is overwhelmingly adjectival.
Inveterate began with the idea of becoming old; today it describes what repetition has made second nature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inveterate come from?
Inveterate was borrowed from Latin inveteratus, meaning “grown old” or “made old,” the past participle of inveterare. The Latin verb combined in- with vetus, meaning “old,” the same root found in veteran and veterinary. English has used inveterate since the early 17th century, initially in the sense of old or long-established and later especially for habits and attitudes that have become firmly entrenched.
Related word forms
How inveterate is actually used
The word has a formal tone and is often mildly disapproving when describing undesirable conduct, though it can also give emphatic approval to an enduring allegiance or enthusiasm. It is standard in both British and American English; the related verb is rare, while modern usage is overwhelmingly adjectival.