critical

Everyday

1. Saying what is bad or wrong about someone or something; finding fault: «She was critical of my drawing». tree →
2. Very important, because what happens next depends on it: «a critical moment», «critical information». tree →
3. (health) Very ill or badly hurt and in danger of dying: «in a critical condition». tree →
4. Thinking carefully and judging fairly using evidence: «critical thinking». tree →
5. Giving expert judgement about books, films or art: «The film got critical praise». tree →
6. (science) At the exact point where something changes: «critical temperature», «critical mass». tree →

In the lessons

In school, «critical thinking» means questioning claims, checking evidence and not believing everything you read online. In news and hospital stories, «critical condition» means very serious. In science, a «critical point» is where a big change happens. In everyday talk, being «too critical» of friends can hurt feelings, so feedback should be kind and helpful. Phrases: «critical of», «critical thinking», «critical condition», «critical moment», «critically important», «critical acclaim».

Examples

• Don't be so critical of your little brother; he's trying his best. tree →
• Good critical thinking means checking where information comes from. tree →
• The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition. tree →
• The next five minutes of the match are critical. tree →
• Water is critical for life on Earth. tree →
• The book received critical acclaim. tree →
• In science we learned that a dam has a critical water level. tree →
• It is critical that you wash your hands before cooking. tree →
• However, even in this critical moment, Ludovine did not lose her head. tree →

Note

Two different families of meaning: «finding fault» and «extremely important». Context tells you which. The noun «critic» is a person who judges (a film critic); «criticism» is the act of criticising; the verb is «criticise» (UK) or «criticize» (US). «Critical» and «crucial» both mean very important. Constructive criticism is helpful and kind; it does not just say «it's bad».

In Jewish tradition

In school, «critical thinking» means questioning claims, checking evidence and not believing everything you read online. In news and hospital stories, «critical condition» means very serious. In science, a «critical point» is where a big change happens. In everyday talk, being «too critical» of friends can hurt feelings, so feedback should be kind and helpful. Phrases: «critical of», «critical thinking», «critical condition», «critical moment», «critically important», «critical acclaim».

Examples

• As such a view is entirely re- pugnant to the modern critical raind, some writers regard this closing Mishnah as a later interpolation. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Two different families of meaning: «finding fault» and «extremely important». Context tells you which. The noun «critic» is a person who judges (a film critic); «criticism» is the act of criticising; the verb is «criticise» (UK) or «criticize» (US). «Critical» and «crucial» both mean very important. Constructive criticism is helpful and kind; it does not just say «it's bad».