Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ time, factor, or situation is extremely important.
The incident happened at a ~ point in the campaign...
He says setting priorities is of ~ importance...
How you finance a business is ~ to the success of your venture.
= crucial
ADJ
~ly
Economic prosperity depends ~ly on an open world trading system...
It was a ~ly important moment in his career.
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj
2.
A ~ situation is very serious and dangerous.
The German authorities are considering an airlift if the situation becomes ~...
Its day-to-day finances are in a ~ state.
ADJ
~ly
Moscow is running ~ly low on food supplies.
ADV: usu ADV adj
3.
If a person is ~ or in a ~ condition in hospital, they are seriously ill.
Ten of the injured are said to be in ~ condition.
ADJ
~ly
She was ~ly ill...
ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v
4.
To be ~ of someone or something means to criticize them.
His report is highly ~ of the trial judge...
He has apologised for ~ remarks he made about the referee.
ADJ: oft ADJ of n
~ly
She spoke ~ly of Lara.
ADV
5.
A ~ approach to something involves examining and judging it carefully.
We need to become ~ text-readers...
...the ~ analysis of political ideas.
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
Wyman watched them ~ly.
ADV
6.
If something or someone receives ~ acclaim, critics say that they are very good.
The film met with considerable ~ and public acclaim...
ADJ: ADJ n