Critical meaning

adjective

1. marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

   “a critical attitude”

   Oppositesuncritical

2. at or of a point at which a property or phenomenon suffers an abrupt change especially having enough mass to sustain a chain reaction

   “a critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C--its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure”

   “critical mass”

   Oppositesnoncritical

3. characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

   “a critical reading”

   “a critical dissertation”

   Oppositesuncritical

4. urgently needed; absolutely necessary

   “a critical element of the plan”

   “critical medical supplies”

   Synonymsvital

5. forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

   “a critical point in the campaign”

   “the critical test”

   Synonymsdecisive

6. being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency

   “a critical shortage of food”

   “a critical illness”

   Oppositesnoncritical

7. of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism

   “critical acclaim”