critic

1 of 2

noun (1)

crit·​ic ˈkri-tik How to pronounce critic (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
However, critics argue that runaway cliff collapse hasn’t been seen in nature, and there might be good reasons why not. Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025 Awards pundits predict that both White and Strong will be Oscar contenders for their performances, which have been praised by critics on the film festival circuit. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025 The Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films were launched in 2019 by EFP and ACC to promote the diversity of European cinema in the Arab world and strengthen ties between Arab film critics and European filmmakers. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025 Until then, critics worry about how the rise of AI slop will impact society. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for critic

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of critic was in 1587

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Critic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critic. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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

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