Chronic - Word of the Day for IELTS Writing and Speaking

The word ‘Chronic’ is an addition to your vocabulary list for the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections. This will help you to talk about long-term stuff or illness in the IELTS Exam. As you dive into the meaning and various factors related to the word, remember to fit it into your regular practice sessions to gain confidence in using it.

One powerful and frequently used word, mainly in healthcare, social issues, and problem-solution topics, is the word “chronic.” The word allows you to talk about problems that are long-lasting and difficult to ignore. Whether you are writing about healthcare, poverty, environmental problems, or daily issues, “chronic” is a word that instantly elevates the quality of your response.

Let us explore this blog about the word “chronic” and learn all about it now for a higher band preparation in no time!

Meaning of “Chronic”

Chronic (adjective)

Chronic is used to describe something that continues over a long period of time, often relating to long-term illnesses or persistent problems that are hard to solve. 

For example:

• “He suffers from chronic back pain.”
• “Many places these days face chronic traffic congestion.”

The word “Chronic” is commonly used in formal writing to highlight certain ongoing and repetitive issues.

Origin of the Word “Chronic”

The word “chronic” comes from the Greek word chronos, which meant, ‘time.’ It entered Latin as “chronicus,” and then into the Old French language as “chronique,” and finally into Middle English. 

Due to its connection to “time,” the modern meaning of “long-lasting or persistent” developed naturally over the period. Now, ‘chronic’ is widely used not just in medical contexts but also in discussions related to social, economic, and environmental issues.

Using the Word “Chronic” in IELTS Writing Task 2

This word “Chronic” is mainly useful in essays related to health, environment, poverty, and crime. Using it perfectly in the exact context shows your strong control of academic vocabulary to the IELTS examiner. 

For example:

• “Urban areas these days are experiencing chronic traffic congestion due to poor public transportation planning.”
• “Many of the developing nations struggle with chronic unemployment lately.”
• “Chronic health issues place an important burden on our national healthcare system.”

The word “chronic” helps you describe problems that are not temporary but are deeply rooted, which is an important distinction in higher band score IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.

Using the Word “Chronic” in IELTS Speaking

You can perfectly use “chronic” when describing long-term problems in your life, your society, or even in your city. It fits best in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 and Part 3.

For example,

IELTS Speaking Part 3:

“Corruption to this day remains a chronic issue in many countries, affecting the development and public trust.”

IELTS Speaking Part 2:

“Our city has chronic air pollution, particularly during the winter.”

Using the word “chronic” in the IELTS speaking test helps you sound precise and confident in your answers.

Common Collocations with “Chronic”

• chronic illness
• chronic disease
• chronic pain
• chronic stress
• chronic shortage
• chronic poverty
• chronic pollution
• chronic health conditions
• chronic problems
• chronic symptoms

Synonyms of “Chronic”

• long-term
• persistent
• ongoing
• enduring
• prolonged
• constant
• recurrent

Antonyms of “Chronic”

• acute
• temporary
• intermittent
• short-lived
• occasional
• brief

Sample Sentences Based on the Word ‘Chronic’ 

1. Chronic stress can have a serious impact on a person’s physical and mental well-being.
2. The governments must address chronic poverty in order to ensure long-term development.
3. He has been dealing with chronic knee pain for almost five years.
4. Chronic water shortages have now forced many villages to depend on water tankers.
5. Many cities lately face chronic housing problems due to rapid growth in population.

Practice Exercise - Chronic

Try to answer the following questions using the word “chronic.” Try saying them aloud or writing them down.

Question 1:

What is a chronic problem in your city or country?

Question 2:

Do you think chronic stress is more prominent these days?

Question 3:

How can governments try to solve chronic social issues like unemployment or poverty?

Answer Key - Chronic

1. One chronic problem in my town is the traffic congestion, mainly during the peak hours.
2. Of course, chronic stress is increasing due to the longer working hours and digital overload.
3. Governments can actively look into chronic issues like unemployment by improving the ways to access education and creating a wide range of job opportunities.

Remember to use the word ‘Chronic’ properly in your answers, which gives you the opportunity to communicate your ideas properly. This will help present your arguments powerfully and show the ability to think in an organized manner.

Also Check: 

• Five Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary
• 1200 Common Words in IELTS Listening
• IELTS Vocabulary Words List for Band 8 or 9
• Practical Tips on How to Improve Vocabulary for the IELTS Exam