Critic Meaning
/ˈkɹɪt.ɪk/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA person who appraises the works of others.
nounA specialist in judging works of art.
Sentence Examples
That young critic is in high demand in a lot of places.
The great critic and the poet are traveling together.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The film ____ wrote a scathing review of the new movie.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
That young ____ is in high demand in a lot of places.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 1856 February, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “Oliver Goldsmith”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green, Reader, & Dyer, published 1871, →OCLC:
"When an author has many beauties consistent with virtue, piety, and truth, let not little critics exalt themselves, and shower down their ill nature."
— 1741, I[saac] Watts, The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: […], London: […] James Brackstone, […], →OCLC:
"Make each day a Critick on the last."
— 1711 May, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Criticism, London: […] W[illiam] Lewis […]; and sold by W[illiam] Taylor […], T[homas] Osborn[e] […], and J[ohn] Graves […], →OCLC:
"And, perhaps, if they were distinctly weighed, and duly considered, they would afford us another sort of logic and critic, than what we have been hitherto acquainted with."
— 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], chapter 21, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC, book IV, page 550:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The film ____ wrote a scathing review of the new movie.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
That young ____ is in high demand in a lot of places.