Word
chronic
Meanings
Lasting for a long time or recurring frequently, especially of a problem or illness.
Continuing for a long time and difficult to solve, especially of a social or practical problem.
Habitual and repeated in an annoying way.
Definition
Chronic describes something that lasts for a long time or keeps happening again and again.
Chronic refers to a condition, problem, or situation that continues over a long period of time. It often suggests persistence and difficulty in resolving it quickly. In everyday use, it can describe ongoing issues like chronic pain or chronic delays.
Examples
- After years of travel, he developed chronic back pain that flared up whenever he carried heavy luggage.
- The team struggled with chronic delays because the supplier kept missing delivery windows.
- She left the group chat due to chronic negativity that drained her energy.
- They documented chronic water leaks in their apartment, even after multiple repairs.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse chronic (long-lasting) with acute (sudden and short-term).
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.