What does critic mean?
A critic is a person who evaluates and expresses judgments about things — most notably works of art, literature, film, music, food, or performance. In its professional sense, a critic is someone whose considered assessments are published or otherwise shared with an audience, as in a film critic reviewing new releases or a literary critic analysing contemporary fiction. The word also has a broader, more negative sense: anyone who habitually finds fault or voices disapproval, as in 'a critic of government policy'. This dual character gives 'critic' an interesting range of tone — it can signal expertise and discernment, or mere negativity, depending on context. The word derives ultimately from Greek 'kritikos', meaning able to judge or discern, which reminds us that criticism, at its best, rests on informed judgment rather than simple complaint. Related forms include critical, criticize, critique, and criticism.
nounA person who expresses an unfavorable opinion of something, or a person who judges the merits of works of art, literature, music, or other creative output, especially in a professional capacity.
- A person who judges and comments on artistic, literary, or cultural works professionally.
- A person who expresses disapproval or points out faults in someone or something.
"The film critic praised the director's bold visual style but found the plot predictable."
"She spent a decade as the theatre critic for a national newspaper before turning to novel writing."
"Even his harshest critics conceded that the reforms had improved public services."
Standard regular plural. Commonly used to refer to a body of reviewers collectively ('the critics gave it mixed reviews').
"Critics across the board hailed the production as a triumph."
The word 'critic' comes from the Greek 'kritikos', meaning 'able to discern' — so at its root, being a critic was about having good judgment, not just finding fault.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of critic
Critic derives from Latin 'criticus', which itself comes from Greek 'kritikos', meaning 'able to judge or discern', from 'krinein' (to judge or decide). It entered English in the late 16th century, initially referring to one skilled in judging literary or artistic merit. The same Greek root underlies related words such as critical, criterion, and crisis.
Related word forms
How critic is actually used
The word carries two distinct connotations: in professional contexts ('art critic', 'music critic') it implies expertise and evaluative authority, while in everyday use ('he's always been a critic of my cooking') it often suggests persistent fault-finding. The plural is 'critics'. The verb form is usually 'criticize' rather than using 'critic' as a verb.
Easily confused with critic
A cynic habitually distrusts human motives and sincerity, whereas a critic evaluates or finds fault with ideas, art, or actions.
A critique is a detailed evaluation or review (usually a noun, sometimes a verb), while a critic is the person who produces such an evaluation.