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1. Dictionary

   Crit·i·cal

   /ˈkridək(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments: "he was critical of many U.S. welfare programs" Similar censoriouscondemnatorycondemningcastigatoryreprovingdenunciatorydeprecatorydisparagingdisapprovingscathingcriticizingfault-findingjudgmentalnegativeunfavorableunsympathetichypercriticalultra-criticalovercriticalpedanticpettifoggingcavillingcarpingquibblingnigglingpass-remarkableinformal:nitpickinghairsplittingpickygripingbitchingbellyachingwhingeingpernicketypersnicketyrare:reprobatoryreprobativeOpposite complimentary
   • 2. expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art: "she never won the critical acclaim she sought" Similar evaluativeanalyticanalyticalinterpretativeexpositorycommentativeexplanatoryexplicativeelucidative
   • ▪ (of a published literary or musical text) incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary: "a critical edition of a Bach sonata"
   • ▪ involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement: "professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking in their students"
   • 3. (of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis: "the flood waters had not receded, and the situation was still critical" Similar graveseriousdangerousriskyperiloushazardousprecarioustouch-and-goin the balanceuncertaindesperatedireacutevery badlife-and-deathlife-threateninginformal:chancydiceyhairyiffydodgyarchaic, humorous:parlousperacuteprofoundrare:egregiousOpposite safe
   • ▪ (of a person) extremely ill and at risk of death: "he had been in critical condition since undergoing surgery"
   • ▪ having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something: "temperature is a critical factor in successful fruit storage" Similar crucialvitalessentialof the essenceall-importantimportantof the utmost importanceof great consequencehigh-priorityparamountpreeminentfundamentalkeypivotaldecidingdecisiveclimactericmomentousseriousurgentpressingcompellingexigentOpposite unimportant
   • 4. relating to or denoting a point of transition from one state to another: "if the density is less than a certain critical value the gravitational attraction will be too weak to halt the expansion"
   • 5. (of a nuclear reactor or fuel) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction: "the reactor is due to go critical in October"

   Word Origin mid 16th century (in the sense ‘relating to the crisis of a disease’): from late Latin criticus (see critic).

   Derivatives

   • 1. criticalness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › criticalcritical adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › critical

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   Definition of critical adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › criticismCriticism Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › criticism

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   1. a. : the act of criticizing usually unfavorably. seeking encouragement rather than criticism. b. : a critical observation or remark. an unfair criticism. had a minor criticism of the design. c. : critique. 2. : the art of evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature. also : writings expressing such evaluation or analysis.

4. iep.utm.edu › critical-thinkingCritical Thinking | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

   iep.utm.edu › critical-thinking

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   Critical Thinking is the process of using and assessing reasons to evaluate statements, assumptions, and arguments in ordinary situations. The goal of this process is to help us have good beliefs, where “good” means that our beliefs meet certain goals of thought, such as truth, usefulness, or rationality. Critical thinking is widely ...

5. plato.stanford.edu › entries › critical-theoryCritical Theory (Frankfurt School) - Stanford Encyclopedia of ...

   plato.stanford.edu › entries › critical-theory

   Dec 12, 2023 · “Critical theory” refers to a family of theories that aim at a critique and transformation of society by integrating normative perspectives with empirically informed analysis of society’s conflicts, contradictions, and tendencies.

6. thewordcounter.com › meaning-of-criticalWhat Does Critical Mean? | The Word Counter

   thewordcounter.com › meaning-of-critical

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   Aug 23, 2021 · According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English language, the word critical is an adjective that describes something that is extremely important or vital, or serious and dangerous. Critical can also refer to a person who is prone to criticize others , or to point out their flaws.

7. www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › criticalCritical - Definition, Meaning, Synonyms, Etymology

   www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › critical

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   Dictionary Definition of 'critical' Referring to a high degree of importance or significance attributed to something. "The patient's condition was critical, requiring immediate medical intervention." Detailed Meaning of 'critical' When applied to a situation or event, it suggests that it is crucial, essential, or pivotal.

8. www.oed.com › dictionary › critical_adjcritical, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › critical_adj

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   What does the word critical mean? There are 15 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word critical, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. critical has developed meanings and uses in subjects including.