Inveterate (adj.)

in·vet·er·ate

inˈvedərət/

adjective

adjective: inveterate

1. having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change.

   “he was an inveterate gambler”

   synonyms:

   ingrained, deep-seated, deep-rooted, entrenched, congenital, ineradicable, incurable “inveterate corruption”

   • (of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change.

     synonyms:

     confirmed, hardened, incorrigible, addicted, habitual, compulsive, obsessive; informalpathological, chronic “an inveterate gambler” staunch, steadfast, committed, devoted, dedicated, dyed-in-the-wool, out-and-out,diehard, hard-core “an inveterate liberal”

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’).