chronic
UK: ˈkrɒnɪk | US: ˈkrɑːnɪk
adj. (of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
adj. habitual; long-standing (e.g., a chronic problem)
adj. (informal) very bad or intense
chronic = chron<time> + ic<adjective suffix>
- chron<time>: From Greek khronos (χρόνος), meaning "time."
- ic<adjective suffix>: A suffix forming adjectives, often from Greek or Latin roots, indicating "related to" or "characterized by."
Etymology Origin:
The word chronic traces back to Greek khronikos ("of time"), derived from khronos ("time"). It entered English via Latin chronicus and Old French chronique. Originally used in medical contexts (e.g., chronic disease to describe long-lasting ailments), it later broadened to describe persistent habits or problems. The logic hinges on the root chron-, anchoring the word’s meaning to the passage of time.
She suffers from chronic back pain.
The city faces chronic traffic congestion.
His chronic lateness annoyed his coworkers.
Chronic stress can harm your health.
The region has a chronic shortage of clean water.