A Critic Judges; Being Critical Is Not the Same Thing
A critic evaluates works or performances. The word means judge, and the job includes praise as much as blame.
A critic is someone who evaluates and interprets works of art, or who finds fault. The two senses pull apart: *critical thinking* means careful evaluation, not negativity, and a critic's job is judgement rather than condemnation. Greek *kritikos* meant able to discern, and discernment cuts both ways.
- One who evaluates works. *A film critic.*
- One who finds fault. *His fiercest critic.*
- Critical — evaluative, or fault-finding, or crucial. *A critical review.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | critic | A theatre critic. |
| Plural | critics | Praised by critics. |
| Adjective | critical | Critical acclaim. |
| Noun | criticism | Fair criticism. |
| Verb | criticise | Criticise the plan. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The critics loved it.Reviewers.
- Critical thinking means careful evaluation.Not fault-finding.
- His condition is critical.A third sense: crucial or dangerous.
The senses of *critical*
- Evaluative — as in critical analysis
- Fault-finding — as in he was critical of the plan
- Crucial — as in a critical stage
- Medical — as in critical condition
- Physics — as in critical mass
From Latin *criticus*, from Greek *kritikos*, able to judge, from *krinein*, to separate — the same root as *crisis* and *criterion*.
Does critical mean negative?
Not necessarily. Critical analysis means careful evaluation, which can be favourable. The negative sense is only one of several.
Criticise or critique?
Criticise usually means to find fault. Critique means to evaluate in detail, without implying disapproval.