WordGarden.iocriticism
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈɪtɪsˌɪzəm/
US
- /ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/
Meanings
Noun
disapproving comments or judgment about faults
analysis and evaluation of literature, art, or culture
Beyond the definition
Criticism isn't always about being negative. While it often involves pointing out faults or weaknesses—like a food critic explaining why a dish didn't quite hit the mark—it can also be a careful, thoughtful evaluation. A film professor offering criticism of your screenplay isn't necessarily trying to tear you down; they're helping you refine your work. Think of it as a detailed look at something with an eye toward improvement. Sometimes, even constructive criticism stings, but remember that honest feedback is often the key to growth.
Criticism is the act of analyzing and evaluating the qualities of something—a piece of art, a performance, an idea, or even someone's behavior. It is more than just saying "I don't like it"; true criticism involves reasoned judgment based on specific criteria.
Historically, "criticism" comes from Greek roots connected to judging and deciding. Early critics were philosophers who carefully examined texts and ideas. Today, we encounter criticism in many forms: a book review is literary criticism; a restaurant review is culinary criticism; even your friend telling you that your outfit doesn't quite match is a form of personal criticism (though perhaps not delivered with the same finesse!).
Criticism can be constructive, offering suggestions for improvement, or destructive, simply tearing something down without offering solutions. It is important to distinguish between the two: a constructive critic aims to help, whereas a destructive one often seeks only to belittle.
The word also refers to the collective body of critical analyses within a specific field—for instance, "literary criticism" refers to the entire tradition of scholarly writing about literature. You might even say someone is "highly critical," meaning they tend to find fault easily. Whether it's a thoughtful review, helpful feedback, or simply a pointed observation, criticism is an inherent part of how we understand and evaluate the world around us—for better or worse.
Examples
- 1
Public reaction
The new policy has faced criticism from students and teachers.
- 2
Editing feedback
She listened to his criticism and changed the first draft.
- 3
Helpful feedback
Try to take it as constructive criticism, not a personal attack.
- Phraseconstructive criticism
comments meant to help you improve
- 4
Product problem
One criticism of the app is that it drains the battery quickly.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Film review
The film drew criticism for its weak ending.
- 6
Public pressure
The mayor is under criticism for not responding sooner.
- Phraseunder criticism
being criticized by many people
- 7
Common objections
The article answers some common criticisms of online learning.
- 8
Culture writing
She writes cultural criticism for a weekend magazine.
- Domaincultural criticism
writing that analyzes and judges culture, art, or media
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- faultfinding
- feedback
- condemnation
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- constructive criticism
- harsh criticism
- face criticism
- draw criticism
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- criticismnoun
Forms
- criticismspluralnoun