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 of critic

Noun (1)

• criticizer

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

Mohammadi has been of prominent and vocal critics of Khamenei's policies, accusing the regime of human rights abuses. —Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025

But BookTok operates in a nebulous space online, where creators are seen as both content creators and independent critics who are discouraged from accepting any money for reviews. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2025

Welcome to Taste Test, where every week our critic Jonah Flicker explores the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2025

As authorities work to piece together how and why the Bondi Beach attack occurred, the debate over the government’s response continues, with critics warning that a Band-Aid solution will fail to address the root of the problem. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for critic

• clitic
• lytic
• analytic
• anxiolytic
• astrocytic
• austenitic
• catalytic
• cytolytic
• dioritic
• diphtheritic
• dolomitic
• endophytic

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