'chronicle-style' originates from Modern English, formed by combining the noun 'chronicle' and the noun 'style'. 'chronicle' ultimately comes from Greek 'chronos' (through Late Latin 'chronica'), where 'chronos' meant 'time'; 'style' comes via Latin 'stilus' meaning 'writing instrument' (and later 'manner of writing').

'chronicle' entered English via Late Latin 'chronica' and Old French forms, from Greek 'chronikos' (from 'chronos' meaning 'time'); 'style' came from Latin 'stilus' (writing tool), through Old French 'estile' into Middle English 'stile/ style'. The compound 'chronicle-style' is a modern English formation combining these two words.

Individually, 'chronicle' originally referred to a written record of events (annals) and 'style' to a manner of expression; combined, the modern compound came to mean 'in the manner of a chronicle'—i.e., presented as a straightforward, time-ordered record.