INVETERATE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does inveterate mean? 

• INVETERATE (adjective)
  The adjective INVETERATE has 1 sense:

1. habitual

  Familiarity information: INVETERATE used as an adjective is very rare.

• INVETERATE (adverb)
  The adverb INVETERATE has 1 sense:

1. in a habitual and longstanding manner

  Familiarity information: INVETERATE used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INVETERATE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Habitual

Synonyms:

chronic; inveterate

Context example:

a chronic smoker

Similar:

usual (occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure)

• INVETERATE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a habitual and longstanding manner

Synonyms:

chronically; inveterate

Context example:

smoking chronically

 Context examples 

I threw up my hands with helpless disapproval of his inveterate materialism and went about making the bed.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Everyone was a friend, and she offered kisses to a stranger so confidingly that the most inveterate bachelor relented, and baby-lovers became faithful worshipers.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

In my honeymoon, too, when my most inveterate enemy might relent, one would think, and not envy me a little peace of mind and happiness.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

As for me, I am an inveterate opponent of socialism just as I am an inveterate opponent of your own mongrel democracy that is nothing else than pseudo- socialism masquerading under a garb of words that will not stand the test of the dictionary.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

But my aunt, suddenly descrying among them the young malefactor who was the donkey's guardian, and who was one of the most inveterate offenders against her, though hardly in his teens, rushed out to the scene of action, pounced upon him, captured him, dragged him, with his jacket over his head, and his heels grinding the ground, into the garden, and, calling upon Janet to fetch the constables and justices, that he might be taken, tried, and executed on the spot, held him at bay there.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)