adjective

inveterate

in-VET-er-ut/ɪnˈvetərət/

Long-established and firmly fixed by habit.

The inveterate smoker continues her habit from young adulthood into old age.

An inveterate smoker: the same woman continues the same smoking habit through young adulthood, middle age, and old age, still holding a lit cigarette while coughing in the final scene.

Etymology

inLatinin, into

+veterLatinold

+ateLatinpast-participle ending

The pieces convey becoming old in something. Applied to habits, this developed into being firmly established through long continuance, then hardened or confirmed in a particular way of behaving.

In context

Storytime Haven174:39

He is an inveterate dragon of the prime, with bloody ideas and convictions that I could neither change nor shake.

The lavender dragon by Eden Phillpotts | Fantasy Full Audiobook

More examples

She is an inveterate traveler who rarely stays home for long.
His inveterate optimism helps him weather setbacks.
Nobody trusts the promises of an inveterate liar.

Forms

inveterate

Similar words

habitual: Emphasizes regular repetition rather than a deeply established habit.
chronic: Emphasizes persistence or recurrence, especially of an undesirable condition.
entrenched: Emphasizes resistance to change, especially in attitudes or practices.