critic

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noun crit·ic \ˈkri-tik\

Definition of critic

1a : 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.b : 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
2 : one given to harsh or captious judgment a fierce critic of immigration policies

Origin and Etymology of critic

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 ¹-ic — more at ¹certain

First Known Use: 1588

Other Job Terms

factotum, milliner, ostler, scrivener, tinker, webster, wordsmith

critic

noun crit·ic

Definition of critic

1 archaic : criticism
2 archaic : critique

Origin and Etymology of critic

borrowed from French critique ¹critique

First Known Use: 1651

CRITIC Defined for Kids

critic

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noun crit·ic \ˈkri-tik\

Definition of critic for Students

1 : a person who makes or gives a judgment of the value, worth, beauty, or quality of something a movie critic
2 : a person who finds fault or complains

Word Root of critic

The Greek word kritikos, meaning “able to judge,” gives us the root critic. Words from the Greek kritikos have something to do with judging. A critic is someone who judges the value or quality or something, such as a movie or book. Someone critical makes a lot of judgments and usually decides that things are not good. To criticize is to make a judgment that something is not good.