inveterate
/in'vetərit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Firmly established by long persistence; deep-rooted: Describes a habit, attitude, or condition that is long-standing and unlikely to change.
- Confirmed in a habit, practice, or feeling: Describes a person who has a long-standing and deeply ingrained habit, often one perceived as negative.
Adverb:
- In a habitual and longstanding manner: Used to describe an action done in a way that reflects a long-established and deep-seated habit.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- He is an inveterate gambler who has been visiting the casino for decades.
- Her inveterate optimism helped her through many difficult times.
- The country faced inveterate problems of corruption and poverty.
Adverb:
- She smokes inveterately, having started the habit as a teenager.
- He complained inveterately about the weather, no matter the season.
Advanced Usage
- "Inveterate" is often used to describe habits or tendencies that are so ingrained they seem like a permanent part of a person's character. It frequently carries a slightly negative connotation when describing personal habits (e.g., liar, critic, procrastinator) but can be neutral or positive when describing traits (e.g., optimism, love of learning).
- He was an inveterate traveler, always planning his next adventure.
- The politician was known as an inveterate reformer, constantly pushing for change.
Variants and Related Words
- Inveteracy (noun): The quality or state of being inveterate; deep-rootedness.
- The inveteracy of his smoking habit made it very difficult to quit.
Synonyms
- Adjective: ingrained, deep-rooted, deep-seated, confirmed, chronic, hardened, habitual, long-standing, entrenched.
- Adverb: habitually, chronically, persistently, customarily.
Antonyms
- Adjective: new, short-lived, temporary, superficial, unconfirmed.
- Adverb: occasionally, rarely, sporadically.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Inveterate foe/enemy: A long-standing and deeply rooted enemy.
- The two nations were inveterate foes, with a history of conflict spanning centuries.
- Inveterate bachelor: A man who is confirmed in his unmarried state and unlikely to marry.
- At 70, he was an inveterate bachelor, perfectly content with his solitary life.
Adjective
- habitual
- a chronic smoker
Adverb
- in a habitual and longstanding manner
- smoking chronically