chronic

chron·ic

adj \ˈkrä-nik\

Definition of CHRONIC

1

a : marked by long duration or frequent recurrence : not acute <chronic indigestion> <chronic experiments> b : suffering from a chronic disease <the special needs of chronic patients>

2

a : always present or encountered; especially : constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling <chronic petty warfare> b : being such habitually <a chronic grumbler>

— chronic noun

— chron·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— chro·nic·i·ty \krä-ˈni-sə-tē, krō-\ noun

Examples of CHRONIC

1. He suffers from chronic arthritis.
2. a chronic need for attention
3. Inflation has become a chronic condition in the economy.
4. Don't bother seeing that film—it's chronic.

Origin of CHRONIC

French chronique, from Greek chronikos of time, from chronos

First Known Use: 1601

Related to CHRONIC

Synonyms: bred-in-the-bone, habitual, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate

Related Words: incorrigible, unreconstructed, unregenerate; born, natural; persistent, regular, repeat, serial, steady, unchanging, unfailing; addicted; accustomed, habituated, used, wonted; deep-rooted, deep-seated, entrenched (also intrenched), inbred, inherent, innate, intrinsic; apt, inclined, prone; mulish, obstinate, set, stubborn

Near Antonyms: unaccustomed, unused; intermittent, occasional

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See Synonym Discussion at inveterate

Rhymes with CHRONIC

conic, tonic