Definitions for critical
ˈkrɪt ɪ kəlcrit·i·cal

Princeton's WordNet(3.25 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. critical(adj)

   marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

   "a critical attitude"

2. critical(adj)

   at or of a point at which a property or phenomenon suffers an abrupt change especially having enough mass to sustain a chain reaction

   "a critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C--its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure"; "critical mass"; "go critical"

3. critical(adj)

   characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

   "a critical reading"; "a critical dissertation"; "a critical analysis of Melville's writings"

4. critical, vital(adj)

   urgently needed; absolutely necessary

   "a critical element of the plan"; "critical medical supplies"; "vital for a healthy society"; "of vital interest"

5. critical, decisive(adj)

   forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

   "a critical point in the campaign"; "the critical test"

6. critical(adj)

   being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency

   "a critical shortage of food"; "a critical illness"; "an illness at the critical stage"

7. critical(adj)

   of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism

   "critical acclaim"

Wiktionary(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. critical(Adjective)

   Inclined to find fault or criticize; fastidious; captious; censorious; exacting.

   A good teacher is fair but critical.

   Etymology: From the suffix -al and , from <

2. critical(Adjective)

   Pertaining to, or indicating, a crisis or turning point.

   This is a critical moment.

   Etymology: From the suffix -al and , from <

3. critical(Adjective)

   Extremely important.

   It's critical that you deliver this on time.

   Etymology: From the suffix -al and , from <

4. critical(Adjective)

   Relating to criticism or careful analysis, such as literary or film criticism.

   The movie was a critical success, but bombed at the box-office.

   Etymology: From the suffix -al and , from <

5. critical(Adjective)

   Of a patient condition involving unstable vital signs and a prognosis that predicts the condition could worsen; or, a patient condition that requires urgent treatment in an intensive care or critical care medical facility.

   The patient's condition is critical.

   Etymology: From the suffix -al and , from <

6. critical(Adjective)

   Likely to go out of control if disturbed, that is, opposite of stable.

   The political situation was so critical that the government declared the state of siege.

   Etymology: From the suffix -al and , from <

7. critical(Adjective)

   Of the point (in temperature, reagent concentration etc.) where a nuclear or chemical reaction becomes self-sustaining.

   The reaction was about to become critical.

   Etymology: From the suffix -al and , from <

Webster Dictionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Critical(noun)

   qualified to criticise, or pass judgment upon, literary or artistic productions

   Etymology: [See Critic, n., Crisis.]

2. Critical(noun)

   pertaining to criticism or the critic's art; of the nature of a criticism; accurate; as, critical knowledge; a critical dissertation

   Etymology: [See Critic, n., Crisis.]

3. Critical(noun)

   inclined to make nice distinctions, or to exercise careful judgment and selection; exact; nicely judicious

   Etymology: [See Critic, n., Crisis.]

4. Critical(noun)

   inclined to criticise or find fault; fastidious; captious; censorious; exacting

   Etymology: [See Critic, n., Crisis.]

5. Critical(noun)

   characterized by thoroughness and a reference to principles, as becomes a critic; as, a critical analysis of a subject

   Etymology: [See Critic, n., Crisis.]

6. Critical(noun)

   pertaining to, or indicating, a crisis, turning point, or specially important juncture; important as regards consequences; hence, of doubtful issue; attended with risk; dangerous; as, the critical stage of a fever; a critical situation

   Etymology: [See Critic, n., Crisis.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'critical' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1787

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'critical' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2749

3. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'critical' in Adjectives Frequency: #234

How to pronounce critical?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say critical in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of critical in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of critical in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of critical in a Sentence

1. Bruce Evans:

   To discover finds that are a fabrication, designed to mislead, is both fascinating and a timely reminder that we should always view any discovery with a critical eye.

2. Sam Piccinini First:

   Some people have been critical, but I think even more people support me and support the right to bear arms.

3. Ron Johnson:

   As sympathetic as I am toward anyone who yearns for the freedom and opportunity that Central America provides, it is not possible to properly accommodate all who do. Those who enter our country illegally without a valid asylum claim, put themselves and our society at risk, the goal of our policies should be to reduce the overwhelming flow of illegal migration and convert it to a controllable number of legal immigrants. Hopefully, Operation Safe Return will convince Central Americans, that on a bipartisan basis, Central America will do everything we can to prevent human traffickers from exploiting our laws and abusing immigrants seeking a better life, Central Americans said. The Trump administration ANNOUNCES MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON ASYLUM SEEKERS The bipartisan push comes amid a continuing crisis on the southern border, with tens of thousands of migrants being encountered and apprehended at the border each month. The Trump administration has focused The Trump administration efforts on trying to end loopholes in which family units who meet the initial credible fear test are released into the U.S. as cases are processed. This week, The Trump administration announced a policy that requires most migrants entering through Central America southern border to first seek asylum in one of the countries they traversed whether in Mexico, in Central America, or elsewhere on their journey. The Democrats meanwhile have focused more on the humanitarian aspect of the crisis, and have been extremely critical of the conditions in detention facilities, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) operations in the homeland. Kyrsten Sinema told The Arizona Republic that the idea was in response to a meeting with administration and White House officials who Kyrsten Sinema said were focused on changing asylum laws and challenging the 1997 Flores agreement that set standards for treatment of migrants and how long minors can be held in custody.

4. Donald Trump:

   It's bad. It's bad, each and every one of us has a critical role to play in stopping the spread and transmission of the virus.

5. Daniel Lackland:

   Given the excess risks, it is critical for African-Americans to manage risk factors – in particular high blood pressure.

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