chronic

Lasting for a long time, especially when describing an illness or pain.

• She has chronic back pain.
• Exercise can help people with chronic illness.
• His chronic cough kept him awake.

Similar words: long-term, persistent

Opposites: acute

Common phrases: chronic pain, chronic illness, chronic disease

Continuing to cause problems over a long period, or happening again and again.

• The town has a chronic housing shortage.
• Chronic delays have made this service unpopular.
• The school suffers from chronic underfunding.

Similar words: persistent, long-standing, recurring

Common phrases: chronic shortage, chronic unemployment, chronic problem

Having a habit that is very difficult to change, especially a bad one.

• My uncle is a chronic smoker.
• She was a chronic worrier throughout her life.
• A chronic liar can be hard to trust.

Similar words: habitual, inveterate

Common phrases: chronic smoker, chronic liar, chronic worrier

Having an illness that lasts a long time or takes a long time to get better.

• The clinic supports chronic patients.
• Chronic sufferers often need help at home.
• A nurse visits the chronic patients every week.

Similar words: chronically ill

Common phrases: chronic patient, chronic sufferer, chronic cases

Very bad or unpleasant.

• The service was chronic.
• We left early because the band was chronic.
• That was an absolutely chronic performance.

Similar words: awful, terrible, dreadful

Opposites: excellent

Common phrases: chronic performance, chronic service, absolutely chronic