IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
chronic
adjectiveˈkrɒnɪkBand 7
Last updated 2 September 2026
In short
“chronic” is a Band 7 adjective that means (Of an illness or problem) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
(Of an illness or problem) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
Example sentences
- “She suffers from chronic back pain.”
- “The region faces a chronic shortage of doctors.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
persistentlong-termongoing
Antonyms
acutetemporaryshort-lived
Collocations & common phrases
Collocations
chronic illnesschronic painchronic shortage
Common phrases
a chronic condition
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “chronic” mean?
(Of an illness or problem) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
How do you use “chronic” in a sentence?
For example: “She suffers from chronic back pain.”
What are some synonyms for “chronic”?
Synonyms include persistent, long-term, ongoing.
Is “chronic” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 7 vocabulary, and collocations such as chronic illness, chronic pain, chronic shortage help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.