critical

Critical is defined as someone who tends to make judgments and find fault with others.

(adjective)

An example of critical is a father who doesn't feel any of the dates his daughter brings home are good enough for her.

The definition of critical is something that is crucial, judged, analyzed, at a turning point or on the verge of a crisis.

(adjective)

An example of critical is a sky diver having a parachute.
An example of critical is Slumdog Millionaire receiving the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2009.

See critical in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

tending to find fault; censorious
characterized by careful analysis and judgment: a sound critical estimate of the problem
of critics or criticism
of or forming a crisis or turning point; decisive
dangerous or risky; causing anxiety: a critical situation in international relations
of the crisis of a disease
designating or of important products or raw materials subject to increased production and restricted distribution under strict control, as in wartime
1. designating or of a point at which a change in character, property, or condition is effected
2. designating or of the point at which a nuclear chain reaction becomes self-sustaining

Related Forms:

See critical in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Inclined to judge severely and find fault.
Characterized by careful, exact evaluation and judgment: a critical reading.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of critics or criticism: critical acclaim; a critical analysis of Melville's writings.
Forming or having the nature of a turning point; crucial or decisive: a critical point in the campaign.
a. Of or relating to a medical crisis: an illness at the critical stage.
b. Being or relating to a grave physical condition especially of a patient.
Indispensable; essential: a critical element of the plan; a second income that is critical to the family's well-being.
Being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency: a critical shortage of food.
Fraught with danger or risk; perilous.
Mathematics Of or relating to a point at which a curve has a horizontal tangent line, as at a maximum or minimum.
Chemistry & Physics Of or relating to the value of a measurement, such as temperature, at which an abrupt change in a quality, property, or state occurs: A critical temperature of water is 100°C, its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure.
Physics Capable of sustaining a nuclear chain reaction.