26984 words

critical

13 definitions • 30 examples
1
saying that someone or something is bad or wrong:

Examples:

a critical report
critical of She did not want to be publicly critical of his decision.
highly critical The report is highly critical of safety standards at the factory.
2

Examples:

She has written a major critical appraisal/study of Saul Bellow's novels.
Critical response to the play was mixed.
critical acclaim His last film won critical acclaim (= was praised by critics).
3
of the greatest importance to the way things might happen:

Examples:

critical to The president's support is critical to this project.
In the end, his contribution proved critical.
Phonics is a critical step towards learning to read for many children.
a critical decision
4
(of an illness, injury, etc.) extremely serious or dangerous, so that there is a risk of death:

Examples:

critical illness She has a critical illness affecting her bone marrow.
critical injury Three of those rescued had critical injuries and two were in serious condition.
in a critical condition Both drivers are in a critical condition (= so badly hurt that they might die) after the 120 mph crash.
He is in hospital, where his condition is said to be critical.
5
(of a person) very seriously injured or ill, so that there is a risk they will die:

Examples:

A young man remains critical in hospital after being attacked two days ago.
Of the 40 people injured, four were critical last night.
He needed surgery but was said not to be critical.
6

Examples:

critical industries
What happens in the next 48 hours is critical.
7
very bad or dangerous:

Examples:

He was admitted to Metropolitan Hospital in critical condition.
8
showing approval by those whose job is to judge entertainment:

Examples:

The movie was a financial and critical success.
9
expressing an opinion about something or someone, esp. a negative opinion:

Examples:

My mother is always so critical of the way I dress!
10
extremely important to the progress or success of something:

Examples:

critical to/for sth Logistics and distribution are critical to an e-commerce venture's success.
Critical decisions need to be taken.
We see this as a critical time and potentially a turning point in the crisis.
11

Examples:

be in critical condition As a result of unchecked pollution, the Chesapeake Bay is in critical condition.
The company had a loss of $511,000 and a critical shortage of cash.
12
saying that someone or something is bad or wrong:

Examples:

A highly critical report was released Tuesday on BP's five U.S. refineries.
critical of sb/sth He is very critical of his manager.
13

Examples:

We need to do some critical thinking to solve this problem.

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