What does criterion mean?
A criterion is a standard, rule, or principle against which something is judged, measured, or decided. Whether evaluating job applicants, ranking research proposals, or deciding which house to buy, people rely on criteria — the plural form — made up of individual criteria, each representing a distinct measure of merit or suitability. The word carries a formal, evaluative tone and appears frequently in academic, professional, legal, and technical contexts, though it is well understood in everyday speech as well. Its power lies in precision: naming a specific criterion forces clarity about what actually matters in a decision, rather than leaving judgment vague or intuitive. The word derives from the Greek 'kritērion', meaning a means of judging, and shares an ancient root with familiar terms like 'critic', 'critical', and 'crisis'. A common pitfall is grammatical: because 'criteria' ends in the familiar '-a' plural, writers sometimes mistakenly treat it as a singular noun, producing forms like 'a criteria' instead of the correct 'a criterion'. Knowing this distinction signals care and literacy in formal writing.
A principle or standard by which something is judged, decided, or evaluated.
"Originality was the chief criterion in judging the entries."
Singular form; the plural is 'criteria'. Avoid using 'criteria' as a singular noun.
(Logic, philosophy) A mark or sign by which the presence or validity of something, especially knowledge or truth, may be recognized.
"Kant sought a reliable criterion of moral worth independent of consequences."
This sense is largely confined to philosophical and logical discourse.
The plural is 'criteria', following the Greek pattern. Because it looks like a standalone word ending in '-a', 'criteria' is frequently misused as singular; the correct singular is always 'criterion'.
"The scholarship has three strict criteria: academic merit, financial need, and community service."
Every time you say 'this criteria,' a lexicographer feels a small shiver — 'criterion' is one of those rare English words whose Greek plural ending makes the singular look like the mistake.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of criterion
The word 'criterion' comes from the Greek 'kritērion', derived from 'krinē', related to 'krinein', meaning 'to separate, judge, or decide'. It entered English in the early 17th century, initially carrying philosophical weight as a term for a standard of truth or knowledge, a sense prominent in the works of Descartes and later Kant. The same Greek root gave rise to 'critic', 'critical', 'crisis', and 'hypocrisy', all sharing the underlying notion of discernment or separation.
Related word forms
How criterion is actually used
Formal to neutral register, common in academic, professional, and evaluative writing. Note that 'criterion' is singular and 'criteria' is plural: phrases like 'a criteria' or 'one criteria' are widely considered errors, though they occur frequently in casual speech. In logic, 'criterion' carries a more technical sense dating back to ancient philosophy, notably in Kant's use of the term.
Easily confused with criterion
'Criterion' is the singular form meaning a single standard of judgment, while 'criteria' is its plural, referring to two or more such standards — so 'a criteria' is technically incorrect.