Yahoo Canada Web Search

Search results

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

   • C

     3

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › critical

   • Cached

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

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishCRITICAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

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

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   Definition of critical adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. saying what you think is bad about somebody/something. You should just ignore any critical comments. The supervisor is always very critical. critical of somebody/something Some parents are highly critical of the school.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishMeaning of critical – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

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

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   To be critical of someone or something means to criticize them. ...a few dozen intellectuals who've been critical of the regime. He has apologised for critical remarks he made about the referee. A critical approach to something involves examining and judging it carefully. We need to become critical text-readers.

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › critical

   The adjective critical has several meanings, among them, "vital," "verging on emergency," "tending to point out errors," and "careful."

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-wordCRITICAL - Meaning & Translations | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-word

   • Cached

   All you need to know about "CRITICAL" in one place: definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, grammar insights, collocations, examples, and translations.

9. www.oed.com › dictionary › critical_adjcritical, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › critical_adj

   • Cached

   There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word critical, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

10. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishcritical adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

    • Cached

    Critical is often used in technical matters of business or science; crucial is often used to talk about matters that may cause anxiety or other emotions. decisive of the greatest importance in affecting the final result of a particular situation: She played a decisive role in the peace negotiations.

11. www.thefreedictionary.com › criticalCritical - definition of critical by The Free Dictionary

    www.thefreedictionary.com › critical

    • Cached

    critical - 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"