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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Critical: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：of utmost importance (critical)

critical 🔊

/ˈkrɪtɪkl/

adj.

Extremely important, like the heart to the body. If it is missing, things will fail.

of utmost importance 🔊

➕

/əv ˈʌtmoʊst ɪmˈpɔːrtns/

adj.

Describing something so essential that its absence would lead to failure or catastrophe. Often used for vital systems, conditions, or moments.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'criticus' (able to discern), via Greek 'kritikos' (related to judgment).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a CRITIC giving a CRITICAL review. Both involve careful judgment.

📖 Example

The patient is in a critical condition, and the doctors are working around the clock. 🔊 The patient is in a condition of utmost importance, and the doctors are working around the clock.

🔗 Collocations

critical role – An extremely important function or position.

critical moment – A decisive or pivotal point in time.

critical infrastructure – Essential systems (like power, water) necessary for society to function.

🔄 Synonyms

vital (adj.) – Absolutely necessary or fundamental.

crucial (adj.) – Of decisive importance.

essential (adj.) – Extremely important and necessary.

🚫 Antonyms

unimportant (adj.) – Lacking in importance or significance.

trivial (adj.) – Of little value or importance.

nonessential (adj.) – Not absolutely necessary.

🌱 Derivatives

critically (adv.) – In a critical manner; to a crucial degree.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Greek 'kritikos' (able to judge), via Latin 'criticus'. It entered English in the 16th century with the sense 'inclined to criticize', later expanding to 'decisive' and 'vital' in scientific and medical contexts.

Meaning 2：inclined to find fault (critical)

critical 🔊

/ˈkrɪtɪkl/

adj.

Having the habit of finding faults or problems with things or people, like giving tough feedback to a friend's work.

inclined to find fault 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈklaɪnd tu faɪnd fɔːlt/

adj.

Describing a tendency to judge severely or point out flaws and shortcomings in people or things.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My teacher is very critical but fair; her feedback always helps me improve my writing. 🔊 My teacher is very inclined to find fault but fair; her feedback always helps me improve my writing.

🔗 Collocations

critical eye – A keenly judging or fault-finding way of looking at things.

critical review – An evaluation that analyzes and points out both strengths and weaknesses.

highly critical of – Very disapproving or finding many faults with someone or something.

🔄 Synonyms

disapproving (adj.) – Expressing an unfavorable opinion.

fault-finding (adj.) – Tending to identify flaws or mistakes.

censorious (adj.) – Severely critical of others.

🚫 Antonyms

complimentary (adj.) – Expressing praise or admiration.

uncritical (adj.) – Not inclined to judge or analyze carefully; accepting readily.

🌱 Derivatives

criticism (n.) – The expression of disapproval or the analysis of merits and faults.

criticize (v.) – To indicate the faults of someone or something in a disapproving way.