critical
KRIHT-ih-kuhl
Critical (adj) means Extremely important, often because a lot depends on it. Example: “It is critical that you save your work before closing the program.”
adj
1
Extremely important, often because a lot depends on it.
"It is critical that you save your work before closing the program."
"Timing is critical when you bake bread, so set an alarm."
"Getting enough sleep is critical for good health."
2
Expressing disapproval or finding fault.
"My neighbour is always critical of the way I park my car."
"The reviewer was critical of the film's slow pace and weak ending."
"He was very critical of the new policy."
3
In a dangerous or unstable medical condition.
"After the accident, the driver remained in a critical condition for several days."
"Doctors said the baby was critical but stable, and they were watching closely."
"The patient was rushed to intensive care in critical condition."
4
Relating to careful analysis or evaluation, especially of literature or art.
"She wrote a critical study of how the poet uses images of water."
"The gallery published a critical guide to the painter's later works."
"The essay offers a critical reading of the novel."
How to use critical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "extremely important," "fault-finding," or "in a dangerous condition," depending on context.
Common pairings
critical condition
critical thinking
critical of
a critical moment
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Word forms
- Plural
- criticals
- Comparative
- more critical
- Superlative
- most critical
Fill the gap
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It is _____ that you save your work before closing the program.
Etymology
From Latin criticus + the adjective suffix -al, ultimately from Greek kritikos, "able to judge."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for critical
See all rhymes for critical →Frequently asked questions
What does “critical” mean?
The word “critical” means extremely important, often because a lot depends on it. In plain terms, either "extremely important," "fault-finding," or "in a dangerous condition," depending on context.
How do you pronounce “critical”?
“Critical” is pronounced KRIHT-ih-kuhl (/ˈkɹɪt.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “critical” in a sentence?
Here is “critical” used in a sentence: “Getting enough sleep is critical for good health.”
What part of speech is “critical”?
“Critical” is an adjective.
Where does the word “critical” come from?
The word “critical” comes from Latin. From Latin criticus + the adjective suffix -al, ultimately from Greek kritikos, "able to judge.".
Is “critical” a common word?
“Critical” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “critical” have?
“Critical” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely important, often because a lot depends on it.
What is the difference between critical and crucial?
Both describe something extremely important, and they often overlap. Critical stresses high stakes — a moment where failure could be serious or even dangerous. Crucial stresses that something is decisive, the factor a result depends on. A critical situation may be dangerous; a crucial decision is the one that determines the outcome.
Does critical always mean important?
No. Critical has several senses. It can mean extremely important, as in a critical stage. It can also mean finding fault or expressing disapproval, as in a critical review. In academic use it means analytical and evaluative, as in critical thinking. Context tells you which meaning applies.
Is critical a positive or negative word?
It depends on the meaning. When it describes importance — a critical decision — it is neutral, simply signalling that a lot is at stake. When it describes criticism — being critical of someone — it carries a negative tone. And in critical thinking it is positive, praising careful judgement.
What is an example of critical in a sentence?
In the sense of extremely important, you might say, 'The next few hours are critical to the patient's recovery,' meaning a great deal depends on them. Other examples include 'a critical shortage of water' or 'reaching a critical point,' where the word signals urgency and high stakes.
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