critical

So important that success or safety depends on it.

• Water is critical for survival.
• Her support played a critical role in our success.
• It is critical that we finish before Friday.

How to use it: critical to/for something (Clean water is critical to good health.); it is critical that… (It is critical that everyone arrives on time.)

Similar words: essential, crucial, vital

Opposites: unimportant

Common phrases: critical role, critical factor, critical to something

Happening at a time when a situation may change greatly, for better or worse.

• The talks reached a critical stage.
• At that critical moment, the lights went out.
• His recovery is now entering a critical phase.

Similar words: decisive, pivotal

Common phrases: critical moment, critical stage, critical point

Expressing an opinion that points out problems or faults in something.

• The film received a critical review.
• His comments were critical of the new policy.
• She wrote a critical article about school funding.

How to use it: critical of someone/something (The report was critical of the hospital's management.)

Similar words: disapproving, negative

Opposites: approving, positive

Common phrases: critical review, critical comments, critical of something

So seriously ill or injured that there is a danger of dying.

• He is in critical condition.
• Two patients remained critical after the fire.
• The hospital treats critical patients in a special unit.

Similar words: gravely ill

Common phrases: critical condition, remain critical, critical patient

Often noticing and pointing out what is wrong with people or things.

• My father can be very critical.
• She was too critical of her own work.
• Why are you always so critical of everyone?

How to use it: critical of someone/something (He is often critical of his colleagues.)

Similar words: fault-finding, judgmental

Opposites: uncritical

Common phrases: overly critical, critical attitude, critical of someone