adv · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/ˈkɹɪt.ɪk.li/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ˈkɹɪt.ɪk.li/
US:[ˈkɹɪɾ.ɪk.li]
Mid-Atlantic, US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
/ˈkɹɪt.ɪ.kəl.i/
CMU ARPABET:K R IH1 T IH0 K AH0 L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:K R IH1 T IH0 K L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In a critical manner; with, or in terms of, criticism.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I looked critically at the frayed carpet of the hotel room.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
In terms of critique, review, of or by critics
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a critically applauded film
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adv
Meaning 3
With close discernment; accurately; exactly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adv
Meaning 4
At a crisis or critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of decisive consequence.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a fortification critically situated
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adv
Meaning 5
Requiring immediate attention; likely to cause a collapse.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
critically ill
critically injured
critically endangered
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adverb
Meaning 6
in a critical manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
this must be examined critically
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: uncritically
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *krey- Proto-Indo-European *krinyétider. Proto-Hellenic *kríňňō Ancient Greek κρῑ́νω (krī́nō) Ancient Greek κρῐ- (krĭ-) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek κρῐτής (krĭtḗs) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ῐκός (-ĭkós) Ancient Greek κριτικός (kritikós)bor. Latin criticus Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English critical Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English critically From critical + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
12 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Arabic:
اِنْتِقَاد
(intiqād)
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Armenian:
քննադատաբար
(kʻnnadatabar)
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Catalan:
críticament
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Czech:
kriticky
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Dutch:
kritiek
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Italian:
criticamente
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Romanian:
critic
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Romanian:
în mod critic
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Russian:
крити́чно
(kritíčno)
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Slovak:
kriticky
— in a critical manner, with criticism
Spanish:
críticamente
— in a critical manner, with criticism