chronic

Pronunciation: KRON-ik

adjective

Difficulty: common

Definition of chronic

chronic (adjective): Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring, often referring to conditions or situations that are enduring and difficult to eradicate.

Example: The patient was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, a condition that required ongoing medical attention.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "persistent" or "long-term"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of chronic

Language of origin: Greek

Root word: khronos

Original meaning: time

How it evolved: Originally used to describe time-related concepts, 'chronic' evolved to refer to illnesses or conditions that persist over a long duration.

The word 'chronic' originates from the Greek word 'khronos,' meaning 'time,' emphasizing the enduring nature of something.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember chronic

Think of 'chronic' as linked to 'chronos,' the Greek god of time—something chronic lasts for a long time, just like time itself.

Synonyms for chronic

Antonyms of chronic

chronic in a Sentence

  1. The patient was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, a condition that required ongoing medical attention.
  2. Despite her chronic procrastination, she managed to submit her GRE application before the deadline.
  3. The chronic instability of the region has necessitated prolonged diplomatic interventions.

chronic in Literature & Culture

The word 'chronic' is frequently used in literature and speeches to describe persistent societal issues, such as 'chronic poverty' or 'chronic inequality,' emphasizing their long-standing nature.

Usage Notes

The term 'chronic' often carries a negative connotation when describing medical conditions or problems, but can be neutral or even positive in other contexts, such as 'chronic dedication.'

Why chronic Matters for GRE & SAT

This word is frequently tested due to its versatility and relevance in describing enduring phenomena, whether in health, history, or social issues—areas often covered in GRE reading passages.

Word Family

chronically (adverb)
In a way that is persistent or constantly recurring.
chronicle (noun)
A detailed and factual written account of events in the order they occurred.
chronology (noun)
The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.

Did You Know?

  • The term 'chronic' is often used in popular culture to describe a recurring lifestyle or habit, such as 'chronic lateness' or 'chronic coffee addiction.'
  • In medical contexts, 'chronic' contrasts with 'acute,' which refers to conditions that arise suddenly and are short-lived.
  • The word 'chronic' has been featured in multiple song lyrics and album titles, including Dr. Dre's iconic album 'The Chronic.'
  • perennial
  • cacophonous — extremely noisy; grating
  • cajole — persuade through flattery or gentle urging
  • callous — emotionally unfeeling or insensitive
  • callow — young and inexperienced; immature
  • calumny — slander and defamation

More Vocabulary Words Starting with C

  • cacophonous — extremely noisy; grating
  • cacophonous — extremely noisy; grating
  • cajole — persuade through flattery or gentle urging
  • cajole — persuade through flattery or gentle urging
  • callous — emotionally unfeeling or insensitive
  • callous — emotionally unfeeling or insensitive
  • callow — young and inexperienced; immature
  • callow — young and inexperienced; immature
  • calumny — slander and defamation
  • calumny — slander and defamation