noun
crux
kruhks
Crux (noun) means the most important or decisive point of a matter. Example: “The crux of the argument was whether the contract had been broken.”
noun
1
The most important or decisive point of a matter.
"The crux of the argument was whether the contract had been broken."
2
A constellation in the southern sky, commonly known as the Southern Cross.
"Crux appears on the flags of Australia and New Zealand."
How to use crux
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe core issue at the heart of a problem or discussion.
Common pairings
the crux of the matter
crux of the problem
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Word forms
- Plural
- cruxes, cruces
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the argument was whether the contract had been broken.
Etymology
From Latin crux, meaning "cross" — the sense shifted from a literal cross to a central, decisive point.
Synonyms
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crux of the matter
Frequently asked questions
What does “crux” mean?
The word “crux” means the most important or decisive point of a matter. In plain terms, the core issue at the heart of a problem or discussion.
How do you pronounce “crux”?
“Crux” is pronounced kruhks (/kɹʌks/ in IPA).
How do you use “crux” in a sentence?
Here is “crux” used in a sentence: “The crux of the argument was whether the contract had been broken.”
What part of speech is “crux”?
“Crux” is a noun.
Where does the word “crux” come from?
The word “crux” comes from Latin. From Latin crux, meaning "cross" — the sense shifted from a literal cross to a central, decisive point.
How many meanings does “crux” have?
“Crux” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the most important or decisive point of a matter.
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