形容词

1. 极重要的;关键的
A critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important.

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

e.g. a critical attitude

2. characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

e.g. a critical reading
a critical dissertation
a critical analysis of Melville's writings

3. being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency

e.g. a critical shortage of food
a critical illness
an illness at the critical stage

4. at or of a point at which a property or phenomenon suffers an abrupt change especially having enough mass to sustain a chain reaction

e.g. a critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C--its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure
critical mass
go critical

5. forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

e.g. a critical point in the campaign
the critical test

Synonym: decisive

6. urgently needed
absolutely necessary

e.g. a critical element of the plan
critical medical supplies
vital for a healthy society
of vital interest

Synonym: vital

7. of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism

e.g. critical acclaim