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. The ACLU:

   We have heard reports that Catholic bishops are prohibiting Catholic charities from allowing teens in their care to access critical services like contraception and abortion- even if the teenager has been raped on her journey to the United States or in a detention facility.

2. Dustin Lee:

   We know very little about the acute and long-term effects of high-potency THC on neurobiology and behavior, this is especially concerning for teens, who are in a critical time for development of brain structures that are integral in executive functioning.

3. CrossFit:

   Due to the physical intensity of the CrossFit workouts, a critical component of a complementary diet is protein, it provides energy and fuels performance.

4. Dieter Waizenegger:

   We believe it is critical for McDonald's to have strong, independent board leadership. Fresh eyes are essential.

5. David Carlson:

   Also critical is the fact that people survive the heat by using more energy for cooling, thus further depleting the world's resources.

Images & Illustrations of critical

Popularity rank by frequency of use