crucial
English meaning: Crucial
Definition
Essential or decisive for determining the outcome or future of something; extremely important.
Example
“A secure supply of crude oil is crucial for any modern nation, let alone a superpower.”
Another example: “Getting enough sleep is crucial for your concentration and mood.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A very common adjective meaning extremely important or decisive. Used in all registers, from casual speech to formal reports. Often followed by 'to', 'for', or 'in' ('crucial to success', 'a crucial role').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'crux' (cross), via French 'crucial', originally meaning 'cross-shaped' then 'decisive' (a crossroads of choice), entering English in the 1700s.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
Related Words
Common Collocations
- crucial role
- crucial moment
- crucial decision
- absolutely crucial
- crucial factor
Word Forms
crucial (adj); crucially (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B