criterion
A criterion is a principle or standard used to judge, evaluate, or make a decision about something. It provides a specific basis for comparison to determine if something meets a particular requirement or quality level.
Examples
3 of 5Price is my main criterion when choosing a new smartphone.
Cost is the primary factor I use to decide which new phone to buy.
The committee established strict criteria for selecting the scholarship recipients.
The group set very demanding standards to choose who would receive the funding.
What's your biggest criterion for a movie being actually good?
What is the most important thing you look for to decide if a film is high quality?
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'criterion' ends in 'on', which sounds like 'one' (singular), while 'criteria' ends in 'a', like 'all' (plural).
Quick Quiz
Safety is the most important _______ we consider when designing new playground equipment.
Correct!
The correct answer is: criterion
Examples
Price is my main criterion when choosing a new smartphone.
everydayCost is the primary factor I use to decide which new phone to buy.
The committee established strict criteria for selecting the scholarship recipients.
formalThe group set very demanding standards to choose who would receive the funding.
What's your biggest criterion for a movie being actually good?
informalWhat is the most important thing you look for to decide if a film is high quality?
The researchers utilized a single criterion to filter the participants in the clinical trial.
academicThe scientists used one specific standard to select the people involved in the study.
One key criterion for the promotion is demonstrating consistent leadership in team projects.
businessA vital requirement for getting a higher position is showing you can lead a team effectively.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
fulfill the criteria
to complete or satisfy all the necessary requirements
establish a criterion
to create a specific standard for future judgment
main criterion
the primary standard used to make a decision
Often Confused With
Criteria is the plural form of criterion; you should use criterion for one standard and criteria for two or more.
Usage Notes
In formal and academic writing, it is important to distinguish between the singular 'criterion' and the plural 'criteria'. While 'criteria' is increasingly used as a singular noun in casual speech, it is still considered a grammatical error in professional contexts.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is using 'criteria' as a singular noun (e.g., saying 'this criteria is' instead of 'this criterion is').
Memory Tip
Remember that 'criterion' ends in 'on', which sounds like 'one' (singular), while 'criteria' ends in 'a', like 'all' (plural).
Word Origin
Derived from the Greek word 'kriterion', which means 'a means of judging' or 'a standard'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western academic and corporate culture, the use of explicit criteria is considered a cornerstone of fairness and meritocracy to avoid bias during hiring or grading.
Quick Quiz
Safety is the most important _______ we consider when designing new playground equipment.
Correct!
The correct answer is: criterion
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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