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1. Dictionary

   critical

   /ˈkrɪtɪkl/

   adjective

   • 1. expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgements: "I was very critical of the previous regime" Similar censoriouscondemnatorycondemningcastigatoryreprovingdenunciatorydeprecatorydisparagingdisapprovingscathingcriticizingfault-findingjudgementalnegativeunfavourableunsympathetichypercriticalultra-criticalovercriticalpedanticpettifoggingcavillingcarpingquibblingnigglingpass-remarkableinformal:nitpickinghair-splittingpickygripingbitchingbellyachingwhingeingpernicketypersnicketyrare: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 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 amongst their students"
   • 3. (of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis: "the floodwaters had not receded and the situation was still critical" Similar graveseriousdangerousriskyperiloushazardousprecarioustouch-and-goin the balanceuncertaindesperatedireacutevery badlife-and-deathlife-threateninginformal:chancydiceyhairyiffydodgyarchaic, humorous:parlousperacuteprofoundrare:egregiousOpposite safe
   • ▪ extremely ill and at risk of death: "she was critical but stable in Middlesbrough General Hospital"
   • ▪ 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-priorityparamountpre-eminentfundamentalkeypivotaldecidingdecisiveclimactericmomentousseriousurgentpressingcompellingexigentOpposite 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. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishCRITICAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   CRITICAL definition: 1. saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: 2. giving or relating to opinions or…. Learn more.

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › critical

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   The meaning of CRITICAL is inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably. How to use critical in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Critical.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › criticalCRITICAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › critical

   • Cached

   Critical definition: inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily. See examples of CRITICAL used in a sentence.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCRITICAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   (krɪtɪkəl ) 1. adjective. A critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important. The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign. Environmentalists say a critical factor in the city's pollution is its population. He says setting priorities is of critical importance.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishcritical adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › criticalCritical - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › critical

   Definitions of critical. adjective. of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism. “ critical acclaim” adjective. characterized by careful evaluation and judgment. “a critical reading” “a critical dissertation” “a critical analysis of Melville's writings” synonyms: appraising, evaluative. exercising or involving careful evaluations.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishCRITICAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   CRITICAL definition: 1. saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: 2. very important for the way things will…. Learn more.