critical

crucial, essentiel

Si important que la réussite ou la sécurité en dépend.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : critical to/for something (Clean water is critical to good health.); it is critical that… (It is critical that everyone arrives on time.)

Synonymes : essential, crucial, vital

Contraires : unimportant

Expressions courantes : critical role, critical factor, critical to something

critique, décisif

Qui survient quand une situation peut changer fortement, en bien ou en mal.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : decisive, pivotal

Expressions courantes : critical moment, critical stage, critical point

critique

Qui exprime un avis soulignant les problèmes ou les défauts de quelque chose.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : critical of someone/something (The report was critical of the hospital's management.)

Synonymes : disapproving, negative

Contraires : approving, positive

Expressions courantes : critical review, critical comments, critical of something

critique, grave

Si gravement malade ou blessé que la vie est en danger.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : gravely ill

Expressions courantes : critical condition, remain critical, critical patient

critique

Qui remarque souvent les défauts des gens ou des choses et les souligne.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : critical of someone/something (He is often critical of his colleagues.)

Synonymes : fault-finding, judgmental

Contraires : uncritical

Expressions courantes : overly critical, critical attitude, critical of someone