What does "critical" mean?

1. (very important) extremely important or necessary for something to succeed. 2. (finding fault) saying that someone or something is bad or wrong. 3. (serious medical state) extremely ill and at risk of dying. 4. (careful analysis) giving a careful and fair judgment of something like a book or movie. 5. (physics threshold) the point where a physical change happens, like a nuclear reaction starting.

critical

adj.

US //ˈkɹɪtɪkəɫ// UK //kɹˈɪtɪkəl// crit·i·cal

1 very important (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

extremely important or necessary for something to succeed.

of decisive importance to the success, failure, or existence of something.

Example

The next few minutes are critical for the success of the mission.

Example

Securing the funding by the end of the quarter is critical to the long-term viability of the research project.
- trivial
- unimportant
2 finding fault (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

saying that someone or something is bad or wrong.

expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments.

Example

He is very critical of the way the government handles the economy.

Example

The director was notoriously critical of his lead actors, often demanding dozens of retakes for even the simplest scenes.
- disapproving
- judgmental
- complimentary
- supportive

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3 serious medical state (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

extremely ill and at risk of dying.

relating to a patient condition involving unstable vital signs and a high risk of death.

Example

The driver was taken to the hospital and remains in critical condition.

Example

After the surgery, the patient was moved to the intensive care unit where she remains in critical but stable condition.
- grave
- serious
- stable
4 careful analysis (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

giving a careful and fair judgment of something like a book or movie.

involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

Example

Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills in this course.

Example

The essay provides a critical analysis of the author's later works, highlighting the shift in thematic focus.
- analytical
- evaluative
5 physics threshold (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

the point where a physical change happens, like a nuclear reaction starting.

relating to the point at which a nuclear or chemical reaction becomes self-sustaining.

Example

The reactor reached a critical state and began producing power.

Example

The experiment failed because the fuel did not reach the critical mass required to sustain a chain reaction.
- subcritical

Origin

From Latin criticus + -al, from Ancient Greek κριτικός (kritikós, “of or for judging, able to discern”), from κρίνω (krínō, “to separate, judge”); also the root of crisis.

Word family

Adjectivecritical
Adverbcritically