adjective

1. tending to find fault; censorious
2. characterized by careful analysis and judgment a sound critical estimate of the problem
3. of critics or criticism
4. of or forming a crisis or turning point; decisive
5. dangerous or risky; causing anxiety a critical situation in international relations
6. of the crisis of a disease
7. designating or of important products or raw materials subject to increased production and restricted distribution under strict control, as in wartime
8. 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