Dictionary.com

chronic

[ kron-ik ]
/ ˈkrɒn ɪk /
Save This Word!

adjective
constant; habitual; inveterate: a chronic liar.
continuing a long time or recurring frequently: a chronic state of civil war.
having long had a disease, habit, weakness, or the like: a chronic invalid.
(of a disease) having long duration (opposed to acute).
noun
Slang. cronic.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Rarely chron·i·cal [kron-i-kuhl] /ˈkrɒn ɪ kəl/ .

Origin of chronic

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin chronicus, from Greek chronikós, equivalent to chrón(os) “time” + -ikos -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM chronic

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH chronic

acute, chronic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chronic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for chronic

chronic
/ (ˈkrɒnɪk) /

adjective
continuing for a long time; constantly recurring
(of a disease) developing slowly, or of long durationCompare acute (def. 7)
inveterate; habituala chronic smoker
informal
  1. very badthe play was chronic
  2. very serioushe left her in a chronic condition

Derived forms of chronic

chronically, adverbchronicity (krɒˈnɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for chronic

C15: from Latin chronicus relating to time, from Greek khronikos, from khronos time
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for chronic

chronic
[ krŏnĭk ]

Relating to an illness or medical condition that is characterized by long duration or frequent recurrence. Diabetes and hypertension are chronic diseases. Compare acute.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK