Adjective
1. marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws;
"a critical attitude"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""go critical"3. characterized by careful evaluation and judgment;
"a critical reading""a critical dissertation""a critical analysis of Melville's writings"4. urgently needed; absolutely necessary;
"a critical element of the plan""critical medical supplies""vital for a healthy society""of vital interest"5. forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis;
"a critical point in the campaign""the critical test"6. being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency;
"a critical shortage of food""a critical illness""an illness at the critical stage"7. of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism;
"critical acclaim"