critical
noun
- 1
A critical value, factor, etc.
- 2
In breakdancing, a kind of airflare move in which the dancer hops from one hand to the other.
adjective
- 1
Inclined to find fault or criticize
“A good teacher is fair but critical.”
- 2
Pertaining to, or indicating, a crisis or turning point.
“This is a critical moment.”
- 3
Extremely important.
“It's critical that you deliver this on time.”
- 4
Relating to criticism or careful analysis, such as literary or film criticism.
“The movie was a critical success, but bombed at the box-office.”
- 5
Of a patient condition involving unstable vital signs and a prognosis that predicts the condition could worsen; or, a patient condition that requires urgent treatment in an intensive care or critical care medical facility.
“The patient's condition is critical.”
- 6
Likely to go out of control if disturbed, that is, opposite of stable.
“The political situation was so critical that the government declared the state of siege.”
- 7
Of the point (in temperature, reagent concentration etc.) where a nuclear or chemical reaction becomes self-sustaining.
“The reaction was about to become critical.”
- 8
(physics) Of a temperature that is equal to the temperature of the critical point of a substance, i.e. the temperature above which the substance cannot be liquefied.
Translate “critical” to another language
Click any language to open the translator with this word already filled in.