CRITICAL definition: 1. saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: 2. giving or relating to opinions or…. Learn more. ' Critical ' means expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments, having a decisive or crucial importance, or relating to the analysis or evaluation of something. Critical definition: inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily.. See examples of CRITICAL used in a sentence. Critical definition: Judging severely and finding fault.A writer who is very critical of the government's foreign policy.