Academic / B2

KRIT-ikl/ˈkrɪtɪkl/

Critical means extremely important, or judging carefully, or finding fault: critical to; a critical report; critically ill. Crucial is a close twin for importance. Uncritical is an opposite for judgement. Timing is critical on a listening paper. Three senses — show which you mean.

Meaning

Extremely important; also saying what is wrong; also involving careful judgement.

Examples

• “Timing is critical on the listening paper; you cannot rewind.”
• “Be critical of the source, which is the judgement sense, not merely negative.”

Good to know

critical to / of; a critical moment. Importance twin: crucial. Judgement: critical thinking. Medicine: critical condition. Not only “saying nasty things”.

Near in meaning

crucial

Topics

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