noun
Uncommon
chronicle
KRO-nih-kuhl
Chronicle (noun) means a record of events set down in the order they happened. Example: “The medieval chronicle describes the battle in vivid detail.”
noun
1
A record of events set down in the order they happened.
"The medieval chronicle describes the battle in vivid detail."
"His memoir reads like a chronicle of the band's rise and fall."
"The monk kept a chronicle of every harvest and storm in the valley."
verb
1
To record events as they happen, in order.
"The documentary chronicles her career from her first audition to her final performance."
"She chronicled the trip in a diary, writing down each day's events."
"A local reporter chronicled the town's slow recovery after the flood."
How to use chronicle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA written record of events in the order they happened, or to write such a record.
Common pairings
chronicle the events
a detailed chronicle
historical chronicle
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Word forms
- Plural
- chronicles
- Third person singular
- chronicles
- Past tense
- chronicled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The medieval _____ describes the battle in vivid detail.
Etymology
From Old French cronique, from Latin chronica, from Greek khronikós (\"of time\"), from khrónos (\"time\").
Related words
Rhymes for chronicle
See all rhymes for chronicle →Frequently asked questions
What does “chronicle” mean?
The word “chronicle” means a record of events set down in the order they happened. In plain terms, a written record of events in the order they happened, or to write such a record.
How do you pronounce “chronicle”?
“Chronicle” is pronounced KRO-nih-kuhl (/ˈkɹɑnɪkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “chronicle” in a sentence?
Here is “chronicle” used in a sentence: “The medieval chronicle describes the battle in vivid detail.”
What part of speech is “chronicle”?
Depending on how it is used, “chronicle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chronicle” come from?
The word “chronicle” comes from Latin. From Old French cronique, from Latin chronica, from Greek khronikós (\"of time\"), from khrónos (\"time\").
Is “chronicle” a common word?
“Chronicle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chronicle” have?
“Chronicle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a record of events set down in the order they happened.
What is the difference between a chronicle and a history?
A chronicle is a record of events set down in the order they happened, often without much interpretation or analysis. A history typically goes further by analysing causes, significance, and connections between events, rather than simply listing them chronologically.
Can chronicle be used as a verb?
Yes, to chronicle means to record events as they happen, in order, such as a journalist chronicling a war or a diary chronicling daily life. This verb use emphasises the ongoing act of documentation rather than the finished written record.
What kinds of publications use the word chronicle in their name?
Many newspapers and historical record-keeping publications use "chronicle" in their title to signal that they document events in sequence over time. The word carries a sense of careful, ordered record-keeping rather than casual reporting.
