crucial
gb/kɹˈuʃəl/ us/kɹˈuʃəl/
B1
English
~ 2100
kulcsfontosságú, elengedhetetlen, döntő, kritikus, sorsdöntő
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is crucial for/to [something]
Good communication is crucial for a successful team.
A jó kommunikáció kulcsfontosságú egy sikeres csapat számára.
It’s crucial that we meet the deadline.
Kulcsfontosságú, hogy tartsuk a határidőt.
Her support was crucial to the project's completion.
Choosing the right location is crucial to a restaurant’s success.
Learner examples
Water is crucial for life.
A víz létfontosságú az élethez.
It is crucial to be on time.
Elengedhetetlen, hogy időben érkezzünk.
This test is crucial for your grade.
Good sleep is crucial for health.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'crucial' with 'critical' in technical contexts; 'critical' can also mean 'dangerous' or 'serious', while 'crucial' focuses on importance.
Meaning
Extremely important or necessary
Collocations
crucial role
|crucial factor
|crucial decision
|crucial moment
|crucial step
Synonyms
essential (Implies something is absolutely necessary and cannot be omitted.)
|
vital (Often used to stress life-or-death importance, but also in general importance contexts.)
Antonyms
trivial (Indicates something is unimportant or insignificant compared to other things.)
|
minor (Suggests something is less important or has little influence on the result.)
Themes
decision-making
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very important and needed for success or a good result.
Extremely important and essential for determining the success or outcome of something.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is at a crucial stage/moment/point
We are at a crucial point in the negotiations.
A tárgyalások döntő pontjához érkeztünk.
The next few weeks will be crucial for the company.
A következő néhány hét döntő jelentőségű lesz a vállalat számára.
It was a crucial moment in her career.
Learner examples
This is a crucial moment in the game.
Ez döntő pillanat a játékban.
The team is at a crucial point in the season.
A csapat döntő ponthoz érkezett az idényben.
The next day was crucial for the plan.
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'crucial' when 'important' is enough; 'crucial' should be reserved for moments that can strongly affect results.
Meaning
At a decisive or critical stage
Collocations
crucial stage
|crucial moment
|crucial time
Synonyms
decisive (Focuses on the ability to determine the final result.)
|
critical (Often interchangeable, but can also suggest urgency or danger.)
Antonyms
insignificant (Implies the timing or stage has little effect on the result.)
Themes
time
|events
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening at an important time when something will change or be decided.
Relating to a point or stage where a decision or change will have a major impact on the outcome.
Grammar
Dictionary form
crucial
IPA
GB/kɹˈuʃəl/
US/kɹˈuʃəl/
Syllables & stress
cru - cial (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cru)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: crucial
Word family
Core family
crucially
adverb
Related words
crux
noun
Negative and opposite forms
noncrucial
adjective
Advanced or less common
cruciality
noun
Expressions
at a crucial moment
1/ˈæt ə kɹˈuʃəl mˈoʊmənt/
fixed phrase
At a very important point in time
Happening at a very important time when something will change or be decided.
Examples
- She arrived at a crucial moment to help us.
- At a crucial moment, the power went out.
crucial factor
1/kɹˈuʃəl fˈæktɚ/
fixed phrase
An extremely important element affecting result
A very important thing that affects what happens.
Examples
- Cost was the crucial factor in our decision.
- Trust is a crucial factor in any relationship.
play a crucial role
1/plˈeɪ ə kɹˈuʃəl ɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
Have an important part in success/outcome
To be very important in making something happen or succeed.
Examples
- Volunteers play a crucial role in our work.
- Technology plays a crucial role in education today.