Meaning of 'critical'

adjective

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

Example: "a critical attitude"

adjective

characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

Example: "a critical reading"

adjective

being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency

Example: "a critical shortage of food"

adjective

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

Example: "a critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C--its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure"

adjective

forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

Example: "a critical point in the campaign"

Synonyms: decisive

adjective

urgently needed

Synonyms: vital

adjective

of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism

Example: "critical acclaim"