What does critical mean?
'Critical' is one of English's most versatile adjectives, carrying several related senses that all trace back to the idea of judgement. It most commonly expresses disapproval, as when a reviewer is critical of a film's pacing. It also describes careful, objective evaluation — 'critical thinking' refers to analysing evidence rather than accepting claims blindly. A third major sense denotes decisive importance: a critical moment is one on which the outcome hinges, and a component may be critical to a machine's operation. In medicine, a patient in critical condition is seriously ill and unstable. This range of meanings can create ambiguity — saying a report was critical could mean it found fault, analysed carefully, or mattered enormously — so context usually resolves the intended sense. Derived from the Greek 'kritikos', meaning able to discern or judge, the word reminds us that judgement, whether harsh or discerning, sits at its heart.
Expressing disapproval or finding fault; indicating or involving careful judgement or analysis.
"He was critical of every proposal the committee put forward."
When applied to people, this sense often implies habitual fault-finding.
Of decisive importance in determining an outcome; essential or crucial.
"Public support was critical to the reform's passage."
Common in technical contexts, e.g. 'critical temperature' in physics refers to a precise threshold value.
(Medicine) Describing a patient whose condition is severe and life-threatening.
"Two passengers remained in critical condition overnight."
From the Greek 'kritikos' — skilled at judging — the same root that gave us both 'crisis' and 'film critic'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of critical
'Critical' entered English in the mid-16th century via Latin 'criticus', from the Greek 'kritikos', meaning able to discern or judge, itself derived from 'krinein', to separate or decide. The same Greek root produced 'criterion', 'crisis', and 'hypocrite', all connected to the notion of judging or distinguishing. The sense of decisive importance arose from the medical use of 'crisis' — the turning point in an illness — while the fault-finding sense developed through the tradition of literary and artistic criticism.
Related word forms
How critical is actually used
The word carries two quite different connotations: negative when describing fault-finding remarks, positive or neutral when describing essential or analytical matters ('critical thinking' is a valued skill). The medical sense ('critical condition') signals the most severe standard hospital status. Stress falls on the first syllable: CRIT-i-cal.
Easily confused with critical
'Crucial' only means extremely important, whereas 'critical' can also mean fault-finding or involving careful judgement.
'Cynical' means distrustful of human sincerity; despite the sound resemblance, 'critical' means judging severely or analytically.