The meaning of critical is inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably. How to use critical in a sentence. If a person is critical or in a critical condition in hospital, they are seriously ill.
Ten of the injured are said to be in critical condition. See examples of critical used in a sentence. If you are critical of someone or something, you show that you disapprove of them.
When critical has this meaning, it can be used in front of a noun or after a linking verb. Remarks far too critical of the queen. Of or relating to critics or criticism:[before a noun] a critical edition of chaucer.
Feb 17, 2026adjective critical (comparative more critical, superlative most critical) inclined to find fault or criticize. Discover expressions like "go critical", "cast a critical eye. Critical can be defined as a thorough and analytical evaluation or examination of something, particularly by making judgments or forming opinions based on careful assessment and consideration of all.
The term critical comes from the greek word kritikos meaning “able to judge or discern”. Good critical thinking is about making reliable judgements based on reliable information.