crit·i·cally /ˈkrɪtɪkli/ BrE AmE adverb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ critic , ↑ criticism ; verb : ↑ criticize ; adverb : ↑ critically ≠ ↑ uncritically ; adjective : ↑ critical ≠ ↑ uncritical ]
1 . critically ill/injured so ill or so badly injured that you might die ⇨ fatally :
Ten people died and thirty were critically injured in a rail crash yesterday.
She is still critically ill in hospital.
2 . IMPORTANT in a way that is very important SYN crucially :
The success of the project depends critically on the continuation of this funding.
This is a critically important meeting.
3 . SERIOUS/WORRYING in a way that is very serious and worrying SYN dangerously :
Food supplies are at a critically low level.
4 . CRITICIZING in a way that shows you are criticizing someone or something:
Mike looked at her critically.
He has spoken critically of the government’s refusal to support the industry.
5 . MAKING JUDGMENTS thinking about something and giving a careful judgment about how good or bad it is:
We teach students to think critically about the texts they are reading.
6 . ART/LITERATURE according to critics who give judgments about art, films, theatre, and books:
The play was critically acclaimed (=praised by critics) when it opened in London last month.