critic
//ˈkɹɪt.ɪk//
Forms
- Plural
- critics
Definitions
1.A person who appraises the works of others.
- Following its publication, the novel received widespread acclaim from literary critics.
- The opinion of the most skilful critics was, that nothing finer [than Goldsmith's Traveller] had appeared in verse since the fourth book of the Dunciad.
2.A specialist in judging works of art.
3.One who criticizes; a person who finds fault.
- When an author has many beauties consistent with virtue, piety, and truth, let not little critics exalt themselves, and shower down their ill nature.
4.An opponent.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1804
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French critique
From Latin criticus
From Ancient Greek κριτικός (kritikós, “of or for judging, able to discern”)
From κρίνω (krínō, “to judge”).