critical
gb/kɹˈɪtɪkəl/ us/kɹˈɪtɪkəl/
B1
Englisch
~ 1700
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
adjective
B1
property
1
expressing disapproval or judgment
Saying that you do not like something or think it is wrong.
Verwendungsmuster:
[someone] is critical of [something/someone]
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners sometimes confuse 'critical of' with 'critical to', which has a different meaning related to importance.
Synonyme
disapproving (Softer and more general in tone than 'critical'.)
Antonyme
supportive (Shows encouragement rather than disapproval.)
Wortverbindungen
highly critical
|critical remarks
|critical comments
|critical of
Themen
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- The report was highly critical of the government's handling of the crisis.
- She is often critical of her own work.
- Many critics were critical of the film's weak storyline.
Beispiele für Lernende
- He is critical of the plan.
- She was critical of my idea.
- The teacher is critical of bad spelling.
adjective
B1
property
2
extremely important or necessary
Very important and needed for something to work or be safe.
Verwendungsmuster:
[something] is critical to/for [something]
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners sometimes confuse 'critical' here with 'criticizing', but this meaning is about importance, not disapproval.
Synonyme
crucial (Nearly identical in meaning, but sometimes sounds slightly less formal.)
Antonyme
unimportant (Lacking importance or necessity.)
Wortverbindungen
critical role
|critical point
|critical factor
|critical importance
Themen
business
|science
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- It is critical to follow these safety instructions.
- Funding is critical for the project's success.
- Good communication is critical to a healthy relationship.
Beispiele für Lernende
- Water is critical for life.
- It is critical to wear a helmet.
- Sleep is critical for health.
adjective
B2
property
3
at a dangerous or life-threatening stage
Very serious and possibly leading to death or disaster.
Verwendungsmuster:
[someone/something] is in a critical condition/state/situation
Synonyme
serious (Less intense than 'critical', which implies urgency and danger.)
Antonyme
stable (In a safe and unchanging condition, especially in medical contexts.)
Wortverbindungen
critical condition
|critical state
|critical situation
Themen
health
|emergencies
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- The patient remains in critical condition after surgery.
- The economy is in a critical state.
- We are at a critical point in the negotiations.
Beispiele für Lernende
- He is in critical condition after the crash.
- The company is in a critical situation.
- The child’s health is critical now.
adjective
technical
B2
property
4
relating to analysis and evaluation
Using careful thinking to judge the good and bad parts of something.
Verwendungsmuster:
critical thinking/analysis/evaluation
Synonyme
analytical (Focuses more on breaking down into parts, while 'critical' also involves judgment.)
Antonyme
unquestioning (Accepting without examination or evaluation.)
Wortverbindungen
critical thinking
|critical analysis
|critical review
Themen
education
|arts
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Beispiele
- Critical thinking skills are essential for problem-solving.
- The book received much critical acclaim.
- Her essay was a critical analysis of the novel.
Beispiele für Lernende
- We learn critical thinking in school.
- He wrote a critical review of the movie.
- The class teaches critical reading skills.
Grammatik
Grundform
critical
IPA
GB/kɹˈɪtɪkəl/
US/kɹˈɪtɪkəl/
Silben & Betonung
crit - ic - al (3 Silben)
Stress on 1st syllable (crit)
Wortformen
Adjective
- Base: critical
Wortfamilie
Core family
Related words
critique
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
uncritical
adjective
uncritically
adverb
Advanced or less common
criticality
noun
Ausdrücke
critical mass
1/kɹˈɪtɪkəl mˈæs/
fixed phrase
minimum amount needed for change to happen
The smallest amount needed for something to start or continue working well.
Beispiele
- The campaign reached critical mass after going viral online.
- We need a critical mass of supporters to make the project succeed.
in critical condition
1/ˈɪn kɹˈɪtɪkəl kəndˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
very seriously ill or injured
Very sick or badly hurt, and possibly close to dying.
Beispiele
- The driver is in critical condition after the accident.
- She was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition.
mission-critical
1/mˈɪʃən kɹˈɪtɪkəl/
fixed phrase
technical
essential for success of mission or project
Very important for a plan, job, or system to work well.
Beispiele
- Data security is mission-critical for this company.
- This software is mission-critical to our daily operations.