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Synonyms

criteria

American  
[krahy-teer-ee-uh] / kraɪˈtɪər i ə /

noun

  1. a plural of criterion.


Usage

What does criteria mean? Criteria is the plural of criterion—a standard or principle for judging, evaluating, or selecting something. Criteria are the ideals or requirements on which a judgment, evaluation, or selection is based.The plural of criterion can also be criterions, but this is rarely used.Criteria are often the particular requirements that someone or something must meet in order to be considered or qualify for something. An applicant for a job may be evaluated based on several criteria, including their education, experience, and references—each one of these standards is a criterion. Your grade in a class may be based on certain criteria, such as your test scores, your grades on homework and other assignments, and your participation in class. Similarly, a gymnast’s score is based on several criteria involving how well they performed certain moves.The word criteria is often used with the word meet, as in Your entry meets all of our criteria for inclusion in the exhibit. Sometimes, people try to use criteria as a singular noun (like how data is sometimes used), but this is generally considered not the right way to use it.Example: We assess the candidates based on several criteria, and one criterion is that they must have at least five years of experience in a similar position.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

NewsGuard says its criteria are nonpartisan and it publishes them to ensure transparency.

From The Wall Street Journal

Merlin will continue using its existing RAP criteria, including acceptance of the Access Card "crowd" symbol as it currently operates.

From BBC

The biggest positive is that if a few criteria are met, at age 59½ and later, any money withdrawn from the account will be tax-free.

From MarketWatch

“Karen Bass is the only candidate in this race who meets that criteria.”

From Los Angeles Times

Morgan Stanley offers up three more criteria for investors to assess.

From MarketWatch