Dictionary.com

chronic

[ kron-ik ]
/ ˈkrɒn ɪk /
See synonyms for chronic on Thesaurus.com

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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Also chron·i·cal .

Origin of chronic

1595–1605; <Latin chronicus<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. 2021

Words related to chronic

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

Example sentences from the Web for chronic

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

Medical definitions for chronic

chronic
[ krŏn′ĭk ]

adj.

Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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.