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
That’s what the USA needs to do to satisfy its critics. Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Trump’s defenders and critics sparred over whether the signature resembled his own. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025 The Supreme Court on Monday lifted restrictions on aggressive immigration enforcement tactics by federal agents in central California that had been challenged by critics as unconstitutional racial profiling. Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025 The critic John Berger, a mentor and friend, was one of the few who saw the intrinsic connection between the author’s two modes. Anderson Tepper, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 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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