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chronic

[ kron-ik ]
/ ˈkrɒn ɪk /
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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.
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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

Words related to chronic

constant, continual, continuing, continuous, deep-rooted, deep-seated, habitual, incurable, lifelong, lingering, persistent, protracted, recurrent, recurring, sustained, abiding, ceaseless, confirmed, enduring, fixed

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
[ krŏn′ĭk ]
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.
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