crucial

[kroo-shuhl]

adjective

1. involving an extremely important decision or result; decisive; critical.

   a crucial experiment.

   Synonyms: significant, essential, vital, momentous

2. severe; trying.

3. of the form of a cross; cross-shaped.

crucial

/ ˈkruːʃəl /

adjective

1. involving a final or supremely important decision or event; decisive; critical

2. informal,  very important

3. slang,  very good

Other Word Forms

• cruciality noun
• crucially adverb
• noncrucial adjective
• noncrucially adverb
• precrucial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucial¹

First recorded in 1700–10; from Latin cruci- (stem of crux cross ( def. ) ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucial¹

C18: from French, from Latin crux _cross

Example Sentences

Michael Jacobs, who advised Gordon Brown on climate policy and is now a politics professor at Sheffield University, believes that continued collective support for the process is crucial.

Read more on BBC

At a time when his fellow forward Yoane Wissa remains sidelined, few others are stepping up to ease the burden and grab that crucial second goal in games.

Read more on BBC

It is the ducking motion which is absolutely crucial because it could put doubt into the goalkeeper's mind about a potential touch.

Read more on BBC

The monster’s look was crucial to its longevity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

With new observational campaigns on the horizon, these simulations will play a crucial role in interpreting upcoming results.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• central 
• compelling 
• deciding 
• decisive 
• essential 
• imperative 
• momentous 
• necessary 
• pivotal 
• pressing 
• touchy 
• urgent 
• vital 

When To Use

What does crucial mean?

Crucial means extremely important or involving an extremely important decision or course of action. Close synonyms are critical and decisive.The word crucial is usually used to describe pivotal moments, choices, or actions that will affect everything that follows, as in We’re at a crucial point in the process—we need to make some big decisions. Sometimes, crucial is simply used to describe something that’s extremely important, as in Getting enough sleep is crucial for staying healthy.  Example: I can’t express how absolutely crucial it is to surround yourself with the right friends.