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.
Also chron·i·cal.

Origin of chronic

1595–1605; < Latin chronicus < Greek chronikós, equivalent to chrón(os) time + -ikos -ic

SYNONYMS FOR chronic

1 confirmed, hardened.

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

Example sentences from the Web for chronical

British Dictionary definitions for chronical

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 chronical

chronic
[ krŏn′ĭk ]

adj.

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

Scientific definitions for chronical

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.