chronically

UK: /ˈkrɒnɪkli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

chron•ic /ˈkrɑnɪk/   adj. 

1. being such habitually or for a long time:
   [usually: before a noun] a chronic liar.
2. (of a disease) lasting a long time;
   coming back again frequently:
   chronic bronchitis.
Compare acute.
3. (of a person) having long had a disease or the like:
   [before a noun] a chronic drug abuser.

chron•i•cal•ly, adv.: They are chronically late for work. See -chron-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

chron•ic  (kron′ik), adj. 

1. constant; habitual;
   inveterate:
   a chronic liar.
2. continuing a long time or recurring frequently:
   a chronic state of civil war.
3. having long had a disease, habit, weakness, or the like:
   a chronic invalid.
4. Pathology (of a disease) having long duration (opposed to acute).

Also, chron′i•cal. 

• Greek chronikós, equivalent. to chrón(os) time + -ikos -ic
• Latin chronicus
• 1595–1605

chron′i•cal•ly, adv. 
chro•nic•i•ty  (kro nis′i tē), n.  Synonyms

• 1. confirmed, hardened.