critique
gb/kɹɪtˈik/ us/kɹɪtˈik/
B2
English
~ 4400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
A written or spoken evaluation
A careful review and opinion about a piece of work, such as a book, movie, or idea.
Usage pattern:
a critique of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'critique' with only negative comments; it can include both positive and negative points.
Synonyms
review (More general; can be positive or negative and less formal than 'critique'.)
|
evaluation (Broader term that applies beyond artistic or academic works.)
Antonyms
praise (Focuses only on expressing approval, without detailed analysis.)
Collocations
critical critique
|constructive critique
|film critique
|literary critique
|art critique
Themes
arts
|education
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The magazine published a thoughtful critique of the new film.
- Her critique of the painting highlighted both its strengths and weaknesses.
- We had to write a critique of the research article for class.
- The professor’s critique helped me improve my essay.
- The book received a mixed critique from literary critics.
Learner examples
- I read a critique of the movie.
- The teacher gave a critique of my essay.
- We wrote a short critique in class.
- The art show included a public critique.
- He gave a fair critique of her work.
Verb
B2
action
2
To evaluate something in detail
To look at something closely and say what is good or bad about it.
Usage pattern:
to critique [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'critique' as a verb means to only say bad things; it usually involves both positive and negative feedback.
Synonyms
evaluate (Broader and used in more contexts than artistic or academic works.)
|
assess (Often used in formal or academic contexts to mean judging value or quality.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not examine or comment on something at all.)
Collocations
critique a paper
|critique a performance
|critique an idea
|critique the design
Themes
arts
|education
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The teacher asked us to critique each other's essays.
- She was invited to critique the dancers’ performances.
- I need you to critique my business proposal before I send it.
- They critiqued the draft report in detail.
- He critiqued the play during the post-show discussion.
Learner examples
- We will critique each other's work.
- She critiqued my story kindly.
- He critiqued the plan for the trip.
- I critiqued my friend's drawing.
- They critiqued the music video.
Grammar
Dictionary form
critique
IPA
GB/kɹɪtˈik/
US/kɹɪtˈik/
Syllables & stress
cri - tique (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tique)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: critique
- Plural: critiques
Verb
- Base: critique
- 3rd Person Singular: critiques
- Present Participle: critiquing
- Past: critiqued
Word family
Forms
critiques
noun
critiquing
verb
critiqued
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
uncritical
adjective
uncritically
adverb
Expressions
art critique
1/ˈɑɹt kɹɪtˈik/
fixed phrase
Evaluation of an artwork
A talk or piece of writing that gives opinions about a work of art.
Examples
- The art critique focused on color and composition.
- Students attended an art critique session at the gallery.
constructive critique
1/kənstɹˈʌktɪv kɹɪtˈik/
fixed phrase
Helpful feedback for improvement
Feedback that is meant to help make something better, not just find faults.
Examples
- Her constructive critique helped me rewrite my article.
- We appreciate constructive critique from our audience.
literary critique
1/lˈɪtɚˌɛɹi kɹɪtˈik/
fixed phrase
Evaluation of literature
A piece of writing that gives opinions about a book or other text.
Examples
- His literary critique was published in the Sunday paper.
- The class discussed a literary critique of Shakespeare's plays.