critic

1 of 2

noun (1)

crit·​ic ˈkri-tik 

1

a

: one who engages often professionally in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances

a literary critic

a film critic

a theater critic

b

: one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique

Critics of the new law say that it will not reduce crime.

2

: one given to harsh or captious judgment

a fierce critic of immigration policies

critic

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

archaic : criticism

2

archaic : critique

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• carper
• castigator
• caviler
• caviller
• censurer
• criticizer
• disparager
• faultfinder
• hypercritic
• knocker
• niggler
• nitpicker

Examples of critic in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the president's hard-core critics are going to attack him no matter what he does

the restaurant critic said that the fries at that fast-food outlet were the worst she'd ever eaten

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But some critics said the initiative had come too late. —Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 24 May 2024

Leave no room for your critics to point the finger or dismantle your plans. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024

Yet some critics call the effort a power grab by city officials and developers who want to limit neighborhood input on controversial projects, especially high-rise projects that could help solve the local housing crisis. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2024

Many critics of Israel or Israeli government policy say opposing the expansion of the country’s control over land claimed by Palestinians is not an anti-Jewish or antisemitic position but one of fairness. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024

Rasoulof is one of Iran’s leading living filmmakers and among the most prominent critics of the Tehran regime. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024

While Georgia was given official candidate status for EU membership in 2023, critics say the foreign agents bill is incompatible with European values of democracy and free speech. —Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 13 May 2024

Former Union-Tribune art critic Robert Pincus will interview Moore about her work and there will be Colombian food and music. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024

Memphis freelance journalist and music critic Justin Davis has been closely watching the beef. —Bob Mehr, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from Latin criticus, borrowed from Greek kritikós, derivative of kritikós, adjective, "discerning, capable of judging," from kritós "separated, picked out" (verbal adjective of krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at certain entry 1

Noun (2)

borrowed from French critique critique entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun (2)

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing critic

• textual critic

Kids Definition

critic

noun

crit·​ic

ˈkrit-ik

1

: a person who makes or gives a judgment of the value, worth, beauty, or excellence of something

2

: faultfinder