Word parts
What it means
Describes a condition that develops slowly and lasts, such as chronic pain, chronic kidney diseaseKRON-ik KID-nee dih-ZEEZKidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.Full entry or COPDsee-oh-pee-dee (said as letters)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.chronic long-lastingobstructive blockingpulmon/o lung-ary relating toFull entry . The opposite is acute: sudden in onset and usually short. A chronic condition can still have acute flare-ups.
At a glance
| Spanish | crónico |
|---|---|
| Also written | chronically |
Related terms
exacerbation
A time when a long-term disease suddenly gets worse, or its symptoms flare up.
chronic illness
A long-lasting health condition, usually of three months or more, that can be managed but often not cured.
recurrent
Happening again after it has gone away, often more than once.