ˈkɹɪtɪkəl dɪˈsaɪsɪv ˈvaɪtəl marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws a critical attitude characterized by careful evaluation and judgment a critical reading a critical dissertation a critical analysis of Melville's writings being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency a critical shortage of food a critical illness an illness at the critical stage at or of a point at which a property or phenomenon suffers an abrupt change especially having enough mass to sustain a chain reaction a critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C — its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure critical mass go critical forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis a critical point in the campaign the critical test urgently needed; absolutely necessary a critical element of the plan critical medical supplies vital for a healthy society of vital interest of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism critical acclaim