Meaning & Definition of Critical in English
English⟶
Critical
/krɪtɪkəl/
adjective
1. Marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
- "A critical attitude"
synonym:
- critical
2. 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"
synonym:
- critical
3. Characterized by careful evaluation and judgment
- "A critical reading"
- "A critical dissertation"
- "A critical analysis of melville's writings"
synonym:
- critical
4. Urgently needed
- Absolutely necessary
- "A critical element of the plan"
- "Critical medical supplies"
- "Vital for a healthy society"
- "Of vital interest"
synonym:
- critical,
- vital
5. Forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis
- "A critical point in the campaign"
- "The critical test"
synonym:
- critical,
- decisive
6. 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"
synonym:
- critical
7. Of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism
- "Critical acclaim"
synonym:
- critical
Examples of using
He fell into critical condition.
The situation is critical.
The situation there was critical.