# critically

Pronunciation: say "KRIT-ik-lee" /ˈkɹɪt.ɪk.li/

## Adverb

1. In a way that demands immediate attention and could lead to collapse or death.
   - Simple: In a way that is so serious it could cause death or total failure.
   - _Two passengers were critically injured when the bus overturned on the highway._
   - _Coral reefs across the region are now critically endangered and close to dying off._
2. At a crisis or decisive moment, or in a situation whose outcome carries decisive consequence.
   - Simple: At a key moment when the outcome will be decided.
   - _Critically, the new evidence surfaced just before the verdict was read._
   - _The talks collapsed critically late, when no time remained to salvage a deal._
3. In a manner that expresses disapproval or points out faults.
   - Simple: In a way that finds fault or shows you do not approve.
   - _The committee examined the proposal critically, flagging every weak point._
   - _She responded critically to his plan, listing its flaws one by one._
4. As judged by professional critics, or in terms of formal review and critique.
   - Simple: In the view of people who review films, books, or art.
   - _The album was critically acclaimed, topping many year-end lists._
   - _Though it flopped commercially, the film succeeded critically with reviewers._
5. With close discernment and careful judgment; accurately and exactly.
   - Simple: In a careful, exact way that looks closely and judges well.
   - _Students must learn to read their sources critically rather than accepting them at face value._
   - _He analyzed the data critically, questioning each assumption as he went._

## Origin

Formed from "critical" combined with the suffix "-ly".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/critically (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).