Chronic
Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring. Usually applied to a medical condition that lasts for three months or more.
Examples
3 of 5Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires daily management.
Diabetes is a long-term illness that needs daily care.
The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The person has had a long-term lung disease for a while.
I'm a chronic insomniac; I haven't slept well in years.
I always have trouble sleeping; it's a persistent problem.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Chronometer' (a watch). Chronic relates to time.
Quick Quiz
Unlike an acute infection, a ____ illness lasts for many months or years.
Correct!
The correct answer is: chronic
Examples
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires daily management.
everydayDiabetes is a long-term illness that needs daily care.
The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
formalThe person has had a long-term lung disease for a while.
I'm a chronic insomniac; I haven't slept well in years.
informalI always have trouble sleeping; it's a persistent problem.
The study focuses on the psychological impact of chronic illness in adolescents.
academicThe research looks at how long-term sickness affects teenagers' minds.
The company needs to address the chronic shortage of skilled nursing staff.
businessThe business must fix the long-term lack of trained nurses.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
chronically ill
sick for a long period of time
chronic sufferer
someone who lives with long-term pain
chronic stage
the long-term phase of an illness
Often Confused With
Chronic means long-term; acute means sudden and severe.
Usage Notes
While often medical, it can be used for any problem that lasts a long time (e.g., chronic unemployment).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'chronic' to mean 'very bad' or 'severe' (which is British slang) in formal contexts where 'acute' or 'severe' would be better.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Chronometer' (a watch). Chronic relates to time.
Word Origin
From Greek 'khronikos', meaning 'of time'.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
Unlike an acute infection, a ____ illness lasts for many months or years.
Correct!
The correct answer is: chronic
Related Vocabulary
More health words
hospital
A1A hospital is a large building where doctors and nurses provide medical care for people who are sick or injured. It contains specialized equipment and rooms for treatments, surgeries, and staying overnight while recovering.
healthy
A2Healthy describes someone who is in good physical or mental condition and is not ill. It can also describe activities, food, or environments that help you stay well and strong.
Prescription
B2A formal document or digital order issued by a medical practitioner that authorizes a patient to be provided with a specific medicine or treatment. It can also refer to the medicine itself.
Symptom
B2A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.
Diagnosis
B2The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms and signs.
Physician
B2A person qualified to practice medicine, especially one who specializes in diagnosis and medical treatment rather than surgery.
Vaccinate
B2To treat a person or animal with a vaccine to produce immunity against a particular infectious disease or pathogen.
Recover
B2To return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength after a period of illness, injury, or setback.
Infectious
B2Describing a disease or disease-causing organism that is likely to be transmitted to people or organisms through the environment.
Treatment
B2Medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury. It includes the use of medicine, surgery, or therapy to improve a condition.
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