adjective · neutral

critical

/ˈkrɪtɪkəl/CRIT·i·cal

Band 6-7speakingtask2

extremely important or decisive; also expressing disapproval or judgement

Examples

Timely intervention at a critical stage saved the project from failure.

She was critical of the government's response.

Critical analysis of sources is essential in academic writing.

Band 8 sentence

At this critical juncture, coordinated international action is required to prevent irreversible damage.

Collocations

  • critical role
  • be critical of
  • critical stage

Word family

critical adjectivecritically adverbcriticism noun

Common mistakes

He is very critical person.He is a very critical person.

She is critical about the idea (meaning: important).She is critical of the idea.

Say it for a higher band

5important6crucial7+critical

Synonyms

crucial

vital

Easily confused

crucial

It is crucial that the data be accurate before publishing the report.

Related words

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In -al

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