Meaning & use
chronicled
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“chronicled” is a form of “chronicle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Recorded a series of events in the order they happened, especially in writing.
Grammar: Takes an object: chronicled the events. Often used in the passive: was chronicled in the book.
Patterns
- chronicle something
- chronicle something in something
- be chronicled by someone
The historian chronicled the rise and fall of the empire.
She chronicled her travels in a detailed diary.
The events of that year were chronicled by several local reporters.
verbtransitiveformal
Described a series of events in a narrative or record, often in a formal or historical context.
Grammar: Used with a direct object; can be followed by 'in' to specify the medium.
Patterns
- chronicle something in something
The documentary chronicled the band's final tour.
His letters chronicled the daily hardships of wartime.
The newspaper chronicled the scandal in a series of articles.
Word forms
| third person singular | chronicles |
|---|---|
| past tense | chronicled |
| past participle | chronicled |
| -ing form | chronicling |
Common combinations
- chronicle the events
- The book chronicles the events leading up to the war.
- chronicle the history
- The museum exhibit chronicles the history of the city.
- chronicle the rise and fall
- The author chronicled the rise and fall of the company.
- chronicle in detail
- The report chronicles in detail the effects of the policy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- record
- Record is more general and can refer to any type of storing information; chronicle emphasizes a chronological narrative.
- document
- Document focuses on providing evidence or proof; chronicle focuses on telling the story in order.
- narrate
- Narrate is often used for spoken storytelling; chronicle is more often written and factual.
Word family
- chronicle noun
- A written record of events in the order they happened.
- chronicler noun
- A person who writes a chronicle.
Commonly confused: chronicled or chronical?
chronicled vs chronical
Chronical is not a standard word; the correct adjective is 'chronic' (lasting a long time) or 'chronological' (in time order).
Practice
The journalist ______ the entire election campaign in a series of daily articles.
Choose one answer.
Chronicled is the past tense verb meaning recorded events in order. Chronically is an adverb, chronicity is a noun, and chronic is an adjective, so they do not fit the verb slot.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “chronicled”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.