critical
adjectiveUK /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl/
US /ˈkrɪt̬.ɪ.kəl/
Very important and needed for something to work or be safe.
Getting enough sleep is critical for staying healthy.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Saying that something or someone is bad or wrong.
She was very critical of his messy handwriting.
3. Very serious and possibly dangerous.
The doctor said his condition was critical.
4. Careful and exact when judging or studying something.
A critical reader checks the facts before believing a story.