B2adjective1K

Critical

UK /["/ˈkrɪtɪkl/"]/US /["/ˈkrɪtɪkl/"]/

Definition

saying what you think is bad about somebody/something

In simple words: Very important or necessary.

Examples

  • It is critical to complete your homework before the deadline.
  • The patient is in critical condition and requires immediate medical attention.
  • The review was critical of the company's management practices.
  • She provided a critical analysis of the novel during the discussion.
  • In this context, making critical decisions can greatly impact the outcome.

Usage notes

Use in contexts where something is essential or decisive. Avoid in overly casual settings. Suitable for both spoken and written forms, especially in academic or professional contexts.

Grammar pattern

critical + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'critical' as 'criteria' — important points that matter.

Collocations

  • be
  • become
  • remain
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • of
  • be
  • become
  • really
  • absolutely
  • increasingly
  • for
  • to

Synonyms

  • crucial

Antonyms

  • insignificant
  • trivial
  • minor

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'critique' when discussing evaluations.
  • Using 'critical' when 'crucial' is more appropriate.
  • Mispronouncing it with an extra syllable.