/ ˈkrɪtɪkl; NAmE / adjective
EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL
1.
critical (of sb/sth) expressing disapproval of sb/sth and saying what you think is bad about them :
a critical comment / report
The supervisor is always very critical.
Tom's parents were highly critical of the school.
IMPORTANT
2.
extremely important because a future situation will be affected by it
SYN crucial :
a critical factor in the election campaign
Reducing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is of critical importance .
Your decision is critical to our future.
➡ note at essential
SERIOUS / DANGEROUS
3.
serious, uncertain and possibly dangerous :
The first 24 hours after the operation are the most critical.
a critical moment in our country's history
One of the victims of the fire remains in a critical condition .
—see also crisis
MAKING CAREFUL JUDGEMENTS
4.
involving making fair, careful judgements about the good and bad qualities of sb/sth :
Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking instead of accepting opinions without questioning them.
OF ART / MUSIC / BOOKS, etc.
5.
[ only before noun ] according to the judgement of critics of art, music, literature, etc. :
the film director's greatest critical success
In her day she never received the critical acclaim (= praise from the critics ) she deserved.
► crit·ic·al·ly / -ɪkli; NAmE / adverb :
She spoke critically of her father.
He is critically ill in intensive care.
I looked at myself critically in the mirror.
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense relating to the crisis of a disease ): from late Latin criticus , from Greek kritikos , from kritēs a judge, from krinein judge, decide.