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.
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

Words nearby chronic

chromy, chromyl, chron-, chron., chronaxie, chronic, chronic absorptive arthritis, chronic acholuric jaundice, chronic active liver disease, chronic adrenocortical insufficiency, chronic alcoholism

Definition for chronic (2 of 2)

cronic

or chron·ic

[ kron-ik ]
/ ˈkrɒn ɪk /

noun Slang.

very potent marijuana.

Origin of cronic

probably by association with the use of marijuana for chronic pain

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 duration Compare acute (def. 7)
inveterate; habitual a chronic smoker
informal
  1. very badthe play was chronic
  2. very serioushe left her in a chronic condition

Derived forms of chronic

chronically, adverb chronicity (krɒˈnɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for chronic

C15: from Latin chronicus relating to time, from Greek khronikos, from khronos time

Medical definitions for chronic

chronic
[ krŏn′ĭk ]

adj.

Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.

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.