How to pronounce inveterate
Say it like in-VET-uh-rit. Inveterate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inveterate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- VET
- uh
- rit
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inveterate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- VETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ritKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of inveterate
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-VET-uh-rit.
What does inveterate mean?
- Firmly established from having been around for a long time; of long standing.“an inveterate disease”
- Having had a habit (usually a bad habit) for a long time.“an inveterate idler; an inveterate gambler; an inveterate smoker”
- Malignant; virulent; spiteful.
Where does inveterate come from?
The adjective is first attested in 1528, the verb in 1574; borrowed from Latin inveterātus (“of long standing, chronic”), perfect passive participle of inveterō and participial adjective (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-f
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying inveterate
How do you pronounce inveterate?
Say in-VET-uh-rit. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈvɛtərɪt/. In British English it is /ɪnˈvɛtərɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inveterate?
Inveterate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VET). Broken into parts: in · VET · uh · rit.
Is inveterate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ɪnˈvɛtərɪt/ (in-VET-uh-rit).