crucial
Extremely important or necessary, especially because it will affect the success or failure of something. It is often used to describe a decision, a piece of information, or a specific stage in a process that is decisive.
Examples
3 of 5Drinking enough water is crucial for maintaining your energy levels during the day.
Staying hydrated is extremely important for keeping your energy up.
The witness's testimony proved crucial to the prosecution's case.
The statement from the witness was a deciding factor for the legal team.
It's crucial that we get there on time or we'll miss the start of the movie.
It is really important that we arrive punctually so we don't miss anything.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'crux' or a 'crossroads'. When you are at a crossroads, the path you choose is 'crucial' because it determines where you will end up.
Quick Quiz
The goalkeeper made a ____ save in the final minute, ensuring his team won the championship.
Correct!
The correct answer is: crucial
Examples
Drinking enough water is crucial for maintaining your energy levels during the day.
everydayStaying hydrated is extremely important for keeping your energy up.
The witness's testimony proved crucial to the prosecution's case.
formalThe statement from the witness was a deciding factor for the legal team.
It's crucial that we get there on time or we'll miss the start of the movie.
informalIt is really important that we arrive punctually so we don't miss anything.
Further research is crucial to understanding the long-term effects of the climate shift.
academicMore study is necessary to comprehend the lasting impacts of climate change.
The CEO stated that securing this partnership is crucial for the company's Q4 growth.
businessThe leader said this deal is essential for the business to grow in the final quarter.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
the crux of the matter
the most important part of a problem or argument
crucial turning point
a moment when a significant change occurs
it is crucial that
it is of absolute necessity that
Often Confused With
While often synonyms, 'critical' can also mean 'disapproving' or 'relating to a crisis', whereas 'crucial' focuses specifically on importance to an outcome.
'Important' is a general term; 'crucial' is much stronger and implies that failure is likely if this specific thing is missing.
Usage Notes
Use 'crucial' when you want to emphasize that something is not just 'good to have' but is a 'must-have' for success. It is frequently followed by the prepositions 'to' or 'for'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'very crucial' or 'more crucial'. Since 'crucial' is an extreme adjective (meaning 'of the utmost importance'), it is technically non-gradable and shouldn't be modified by 'very'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'crux' or a 'crossroads'. When you are at a crossroads, the path you choose is 'crucial' because it determines where you will end up.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'crux' (cross), originally referring to a cross-shaped mark or a crossroads where a decisive choice must be made.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The goalkeeper made a ____ save in the final minute, ensuring his team won the championship.
Correct!
The correct answer is: crucial
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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