critical meaning to

Ryan, E. (2022, November 25). What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/critical-thinking/

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Vocabulary

What does critical mean?

Definitions for critical ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl crit·i·cal, this dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word critical ., princeton's wordnet rate this definition: 3.3 / 4 votes.

critical adjective

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

"a critical attitude"

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"

characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

"a critical reading"; "a critical dissertation"; "a critical analysis of Melville's writings"

critical, vital adjective

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

"a critical element of the plan"; "critical medical supplies"; "vital for a healthy society"; "of vital interest"

critical, decisive adjective

forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

"a critical point in the campaign"; "the critical test"

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"

of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism

"critical acclaim"

Wiktionary Rate this definition: 1.0 / 1 vote

Inclined to find fault or criticize; fastidious; captious; censorious; exacting.

A good teacher is fair but critical.

Pertaining to, or indicating, a crisis or turning point.

This is a critical moment.

Extremely important.

It's critical that you deliver this on time.

Relating to criticism or careful analysis, such as literary or film criticism.

The movie was a critical success, but bombed at the box-office.

Of a patient condition involving unstable vital signs and a prognosis that predicts the condition could worsen; or, a patient condition that requires urgent treatment in an intensive care or critical care medical facility.

The patient's condition is critical.

Likely to go out of control if disturbed, that is, opposite of stable.

The political situation was so critical that the government declared the state of siege.

Of the point (in temperature, reagent concentration etc.) where a nuclear or chemical reaction becomes self-sustaining.

The reaction was about to become critical.

Etymology: From the suffix -al and, from <

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votes

Critical adjective

Etymology: from critick.

It is submitted to the judgment of more critical ears, to direct and determine what is graceful and what is not. William Holder.

Virgil was so critical in the rites of religion, that he would never have brought in such prayers as these, if they had not been agreeable to the Roman customs. Edward Stillingfleet.

What wouldst thou write of me, if thou shouldst praise me? —— —— O, gentle lady, do not put me to’t; For I am nothing, if not critical. William Shakespeare , Othello.

The moon is supposed to be measured by sevens, and the critical or decretory days to be dependent on that number. Thomas Browne , Vulgar Errours, b. iv. c. 12.

Opportunity is in respect to time, in some sense, as time is in respect to eternity: it is the small moment, the exact point, the critical minute, on which every good work so much depends. Thomas Sprat , Sermons.

The people cannot but resent to see their apprehensions of the power of France, in so critical a juncture, wholly laid aside. Jonathan Swift.

Webster Dictionary Rate this definition: 4.0 / 1 vote

Critical noun

qualified to criticise, or pass judgment upon, literary or artistic productions

pertaining to criticism or the critic's art; of the nature of a criticism; accurate; as, critical knowledge; a critical dissertation

inclined to make nice distinctions, or to exercise careful judgment and selection; exact; nicely judicious

inclined to criticise or find fault; fastidious; captious; censorious; exacting

characterized by thoroughness and a reference to principles, as becomes a critic; as, a critical analysis of a subject

pertaining to, or indicating, a crisis, turning point, or specially important juncture; important as regards consequences; hence, of doubtful issue; attended with risk; dangerous; as, the critical stage of a fever; a critical situation

Etymology: [See Critic, n., Crisis.]

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How to pronounce critical?

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How to say critical in sign language?

Chaldean Numerology

The numerical value of critical in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

Pythagorean Numerology

The numerical value of critical in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of critical in a Sentence

Amy Klobuchar :

This fight has just begun, that's why, as chairwoman of Senate Rules Committee, I am announcing a series of hearings on the urgent need to pass critical voting, campaign finance, and ethics reforms, including a field hearing in Georgia to hear testimony on the recently enacted legislation to restrict voting in the state.

Eric Schiffer :

Musk's meltdown will change Tesla's ability to raise capital when he needs it with a sector of investors, at this critical point, he needs to reinforce confidence, not raise a narrative of him as unstable and whose rational side is lost in space.

Miriel Manning :

Within the current political landscape of Arizona it is critical that Prescott College shows our commitment to education as a human right.

Russ Vought :

It is critical that Congress not pass a lame-duck spending package that prevents a new Republican majority with hopefully a paradigm-shattering speaker from passing this budget early next year.

Shuhei Yoshida :

Our goal with VR is to deliver a sense of presence, making the player feel as though they've stepped inside the world of a game, the new Project Morpheus prototype brings us closer to that goal, as it improves the visual experience and tracking accuracy, both of which are critical to achieving sense of presence.

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Translations for critical, from our multilingual translation dictionary.

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What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is a kind of thinking in which you question , analyse , interpret , evaluate and make a judgement about what you read, hear, say, or write. The term critical comes from the Greek word kritikos meaning “able to judge or discern”. Good critical thinking is about making reliable judgements based on reliable information.

Applying critical thinking does not mean being negative or focusing on faults. It means being able to clarify your thinking so that you can break down a problem or a piece of information, interpret it and use that interpretation to arrive at an informed decision or judgement (for example designing a bridge, responding to an opinion piece or understanding a political motivation).

People who apply critical thinking consistently are said to have a critical thinking mindset, but no one is born this way. These are attributes which are learnt and improved through practice and application.

In the academic context, critical thinking is most commonly associated with arguments. You might be asked to think critically about other people's arguments or create your own. To become a better critical thinker, you therefore need to learn how to:

Critical Thinking diagram which lists the skills: Clarify, Question, Identify, Analyse, Evaluate, and Create

As the image illustrates, critical thinking skills and attributes are interconnected and need to work together for your critical thinking to be effective.

Six key steps to developing your critical thinking skills and mindset View

Examples of critical thinking skills, mindsets and practices.

Below are four examples of critical thinking skills, mindsets and practices. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all critical thinking skills because the skills you use will depend on your specific context.

Questioning skills

How do i apply questioning skills.

How do I apply a questioning mindset?

What does good questioning look like in practice?

Analytical skills

How do i apply analytical skills.

How do I apply an analytical mindset?

I make connections between ideas.

What does analysis look like in practice?

Evaluation skills

How do i apply evaluation skills.

How do I apply an evaluation mindset?

I compare different viewpoints and arguments, and point out their strengths and weaknesses.

What does evaluation look like in practice?

Synthesis skills

How do i apply synthesis skills.

How do I apply a synthesis mindset?

I consider the bigger picture or context, and use strong evidence and reason to formulate my conclusions, decisions, judgements and arguments.

What does synthesis look like in practice?

Taking it further

Clarify your purpose and context.

Clarifying your purpose and context will help you focus your thinking and avoid information overload and distractions.

Question your sources

Learn how to select sources of information that are the most credible, accurate and relevant for your thinking tasks.

Identify arguments

The ability to identify arguments will help you recognise the main points made in your sources.

Analyse sources and arguments

To demonstrate your critical thinking, you need to be able to carefully examine sources, arguments, theories and processes, and explain how they work.

Evaluate the arguments of others

As a critical thinker, you need to be able to evaluate arguments, as well as the claims, evidence and reasoning that comprise them.

Create your own argument

Learn how to bring together evidence, reasoning and claims, and create your own argument.

Your feedback matters

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you found most useful or share your suggestions for improving this resource.

Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples

Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings.

Good critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information, and discriminate between useful and less useful details to solve problems or make decisions. Employers prioritize the ability to think critically—find out why, plus see how you can demonstrate that you have this ability throughout the job application process.

Why Do Employers Value Critical Thinking Skills?

Employers want job candidates who can evaluate a situation using logical thought and offer the best solution.

Someone with critical thinking skills can be trusted to make decisions independently, and will not need constant handholding.

Hiring a critical thinker means that micromanaging won't be required. Critical thinking abilities are among the most sought-after skills in almost every industry and workplace. You can demonstrate critical thinking by using related keywords in your resume and cover letter, and during your interview.

Examples of Critical Thinking

The circumstances that demand critical thinking vary from industry to industry. Some examples include:

Promote Your Skills in Your Job Search

If critical thinking is a key phrase in the job listings you are applying for, be sure to emphasize your critical thinking skills throughout your job search.

Add Keywords to Your Resume

You can use critical thinking keywords (analytical, problem solving, creativity, etc.) in your resume. When describing your work history , include top critical thinking skills that accurately describe you. You can also include them in your resume summary , if you have one.

For example, your summary might read, “Marketing Associate with five years of experience in project management. Skilled in conducting thorough market research and competitor analysis to assess market trends and client needs, and to develop appropriate acquisition tactics.”

Mention Skills in Your Cover Letter

Include these critical thinking skills in your cover letter. In the body of your letter, mention one or two of these skills, and give specific examples of times when you have demonstrated them at work. Think about times when you had to analyze or evaluate materials to solve a problem.

Show the Interviewer Your Skills

You can use these skill words in an interview. Discuss a time when you were faced with a particular problem or challenge at work and explain how you applied critical thinking to solve it.

Some interviewers will give you a hypothetical scenario or problem, and ask you to use critical thinking skills to solve it. In this case, explain your thought process thoroughly to the interviewer. He or she is typically more focused on how you arrive at your solution rather than the solution itself. The interviewer wants to see you analyze and evaluate (key parts of critical thinking) the given scenario or problem.

Of course, each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read the job description carefully and focus on the skills listed by the employer.

Top Critical Thinking Skills

Keep these in-demand critical thinking skills in mind as you update your resume and write your cover letter. As you've seen, you can also emphasize them at other points throughout the application process, such as your interview.

Part of critical thinking is the ability to carefully examine something, whether it is a problem, a set of data, or a text. People with analytical skills can examine information, understand what it means, and properly explain to others the implications of that information.

Communication

Often, you will need to share your conclusions with your employers or with a group of colleagues. You need to be able to communicate with others to share your ideas effectively. You might also need to engage in critical thinking in a group. In this case, you will need to work with others and communicate effectively to figure out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking often involves creativity and innovation. You might need to spot patterns in the information you are looking at or come up with a solution that no one else has thought of before. All of this involves a creative eye that can take a different approach from all other approaches.

Open-Mindedness

To think critically, you need to be able to put aside any assumptions or judgments and merely analyze the information you receive. You need to be objective, evaluating ideas without bias.

Problem Solving

Problem-solving is another critical thinking skill that involves analyzing a problem, generating and implementing a solution, and assessing the success of the plan. Employers don’t simply want employees who can think about information critically. They also need to be able to come up with practical solutions.

More Critical Thinking Skills

Key Takeaways

University of Louisville. " What is Critical Thinking ."

American Management Association. " AMA Critical Skills Survey: Workers Need Higher Level Skills to Succeed in the 21st Century ."

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critical Definitions and Synonyms ‌ ‌ ‌

Her father was a very critical man.

He gave a highly critical speech .

People have been critical of the way she has handled the affair .

Classroom practice is a critical factor in children ’s learning .

What happens in the next few days is critical to our success .

an issue that is of critical importance to the party

Negotiations have entered a critical phase .

Several of the passengers are still critical.

In his book , Laurence takes a critical look at modern life .

It wasn’t the critical success they had hoped for.

Her latest show has won much critical acclaim .

Definition and synonyms of critical from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education.

This is the British English definition of critical . View American English definition of critical .

Change your default dictionary to American English.

View the pronunciation for critical .

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The Meaning of Critical: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of critical? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word critical, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word critical mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English language, the word critical is an adjective that describes something that is extremely important or vital, or serious and dangerous. Critical can also refer to a person who is prone to criticize others , or to point out their flaws. Something that is critical is of decisive importance. Many things can be critical, including a critical attitude, critical test, critical reading, critical analysis, and more. The word critical has three syllables – crit-i-cal, and the pronunciation of critical is krɪtɪkəl.

This word can also refer to a patient’s condition that has an abrupt change or chain reaction of events that require critical care. This grave physical condition is a state of crisis and requires intensive care, usually via hospitalication. This person might need a medical facility and urgent treatment to receive a prognosis. Someone who has an illness at the critical stage might have unstable vital signs or abnormal vital signs which can be unfavorable indicators of their condition. Ones with critical illness need careful evaluation and critical medical supplies. One should not make assumptions but rather go through extensive testing to determine the cause of the issue.

The term critical, according to Definitions , in physics, critical can also refer to a turning point at which some property or phenomenon has an abrupt change in temperature or self-sustaining reagent concentration, such as the critical temperature of water being 100 degrees c (boiling point) at standard atmospheric pressure. This chemical reaction causes it to boil. A critical mass can also refer to a mass of fissionable material. A critical essay is one that evaluate a work or collection of works.

There are many different languages that contain words meaning critical for both of its various meanings. You may notice that some of these words look and sound similar to each other. This is likely due to the fact that they share a common origin. Usually, cognates, which are words that look, sound, and mean the same thing across languages, are formed when two words or languages share a common ancestor like Latin or Greek. This list of translations for the word critical is provided by Word Sense .

Critical (adj.) – predisposed to find fault

Critical (adj.) – of high importance

How can the word critical be used in a sentence?

The word critical can be used in many different sentences. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also try making a quiz or flashcards for yourself. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a few different examples of the word critical used in sentences to help get you started.

There was a critical shortage of food – days ago, they were at their maximum, but their supply quickly dwindled to the minimum on a steep curve.

The box-office employees were critical of the film, but the movie-goers seemed to enjoy it. All of the employees had studied film criticism and felt the need to call attention to its plot holes, as they had a tendency to do with every film.

The country was in a state of siege and a critical political situation. The leaders had to use skillful judgment to form a critical element of the pan.

She wrote a critical dissertation during her time at Princeton University, in which she provided a careful analysis of different books.

What are synonyms and antonyms of the word critical?

There are many different words in the English language that mean the same thing as the word critical. These are called synonyms. Synonyms are a very useful device to know because they can help you avoid repeating the same word over and over again while also expanding your vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word critical is provided by Power Thesaurus .

There are also many different words that mean the opposite of the word critical. These opposite words are called antonyms. Antonyms are useful words and phrases to know to expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word critical is also provided by Power Thesaurus .

Overall, the word critical means vital and important, serious and dangerous, or tending to criticize. This is a very versatile adjective.

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

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Critical Definition & Meaning
: of, relating to, or being a turning point or specially important juncture a critical phase : such as (1) : relating to or being the stage of a disease at which an abrupt change for better or worse may be expected also : being or relating to an illness or condition involving danger of death critical care a patient listed in critical condition (2)
CRITICAL
critical adjective (NOT PLEASED) B2 saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: a critical report The report is highly critical of safety standards at the factory. More examples She is critical of the president's globalist foreign policy. She was highly critical of the insensitive and peremptory way in which the cases had been handled.
CRITICAL
critical adjective (NOT PLEASED) B2 saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: a critical report The report is highly critical of safety standards at the factory. More examples She is critical of the president's globalist foreign policy. She was highly critical of the insensitive and peremptory way in which the cases had been handled.
130 Synonyms & Antonyms of CRITICAL
Definition of critical 1 as in particular given to making or expressing unfavorable judgments about things adults tend to be critical of teenagers' taste in music and movies Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance particular demanding rejective judgmental hypercritical overcritical captious faultfinding carping caviling merciless discerning harsh
Critical
critical ( ˈkrɪtɪkəl) adj 1. containing or making severe or negative judgments 2. containing careful or analytical evaluations: a critical dissertation. 3. of or involving a critic or criticism 4. of or forming a crisis; crucial; decisive: a critical operation. 5. urgently needed: critical medical supplies. 6.
CRITICAL Synonyms: 95 Synonyms & Antonyms for CRITICAL
critical See definition of critical on Dictionary.com adj. fault-finding, detracting adj. urgently important synonyms for critical Compare Synonyms demanding analytical belittling biting calumniatory captious carping caviling cavillous censorious censuring choleric condemning critic cutting cynical demeaning derogatory diagnostic disapproving
10 signs you're too critical of yourself (and how to develop a more
Half-assing it doesn't mean you're being content with mediocrity or the poorly done work. What we advocate for is the belief and practice of small, consistent, incremental progress, rather than giving it all in one go. ... Once you detox from being too critical, when you begin to fall into it again, you might be surprised to find you've ...
Critical
Definitions of critical adjective of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism " critical acclaim" adjective characterized by careful evaluation and judgment "a critical reading" "a critical dissertation" "a critical analysis of Melville's writings" Synonyms: appraising, evaluative exercising or involving careful evaluations
Critical Definition & Meaning
critical / ( ˈkrɪtɪkəl) / adjective containing or making severe or negative judgments containing careful or analytical evaluations a critical dissertation of or involving a critic or criticism of or forming a crisis; crucial; decisive a critical operation urgently needed critical medical supplies
Critical Definition & Meaning
1 [more critical; most critical] : expressing criticism or disapproval You're always so critical. They are often critical of the mayor's policies. [=they often criticize the mayor's policies] 2 : of or relating to the judgments of critics about books, movies, art, etc.
Critical definition and meaning
critical (krɪtɪkəl ) 1. adjective A critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important. The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign. Environmentalists say a critical factor in the city's pollution is its population. He says setting priorities is of critical importance.
What Is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment. To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources. Critical thinking skills help you to: Identify credible sources Evaluate and respond to arguments
What does critical mean?
Definition of critical in the Definitions.net dictionary. Meaning of critical. Information and translations of critical in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.
What is critical thinking?
The term critical comes from the Greek word kritikos meaning "able to judge or discern". Good critical thinking is about making reliable judgements based on reliable information. Applying critical thinking does not mean being negative or focusing on faults.
Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples
Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings. 1
CRITICAL (adjective) definition and synonyms
Synonyms and related words. 3. difficult to deal with because a small mistake could make very bad things happen. Negotiations have entered a critical phase. Synonyms and related words. 4. someone who is critical is very seriously ill or injured and might die. Several of the passengers are still critical. Synonyms and related words.
critical
He made some highly critical remarks. 2 important something that is critical is very important because what happens in the future depends on it SYN crucial critical to These talks are critical to the future of the peace process. It is absolutely critical for us to know the truth. Foreign trade is of critical importance to the economy. 3 serious ...
What Does Critical Mean?
Critical can also refer to a person who is prone to criticize others , or to point out their flaws. Something that is critical is of decisive importance. Many things can be critical, including a critical attitude, critical test, critical reading, critical analysis, and more. The word critical has three syllables - crit-i-cal, and the ...
Сritical Thinking Skills
Analysis. Part of critical thinking is the ability to carefully examine something, whether it is a problem, a set of data, or a text. People with analytical skills can examine information, understand what it means, and properly explain to others the implications of that information.
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I t isn't hard at all to define "wokeness.". I did it two years ago. The definition, widely shared online after an exchange with left-wing activist Nina Turner, became a meme. This canard ...