chronic
[ kron-ik ]
/ ˈkrɒn ɪk /
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.
QUIZZES
LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!
Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
Also chron·i·cal .
Origin of chronic
OTHER WORDS FROM chronic
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH chronic
acute, chronicDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for chronic
“Depression” vs. “Anxiety”: Which Do I Have (Or Is It Both)?
“Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time
“Have” vs. “Has”: When To Use Each One
What Is An Em Dash And How Do You Use It?
What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”?
“Frosting” vs. “Icing”: Are They Synonyms (Or Just Taste Like They Are)?
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
- very badthe play was chronic
- very serioushe left her in a chronic condition
Derived forms of chronic
chronically, adverbchronicity (krɒˈnɪsɪtɪ), nounWord 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.