critical hit

American  

[krit-i-kuhl hit] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl ˈhɪt /

noun

1. a movie, song, or the like that is highly favored by professional critics.

   The two movies they made together were both blockbusters as well as critical hits.

   The song was a critical hit, garnering several nominations and two awards in its category.

2. null (in role-playing games) a particularly successful, damaging blow or move against one’s opponent, usually due to an advantageous roll of the die or dice.

   I had a hard time on the first few levels, with low health from a steady stream of critical hits against me.

   In this game any roll that adds up to 12 is a critical hit and inflicts major damage, regardless of defenses.

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Etymology

Origin of critical hit

First recorded in 1955–60 critical hit for def. 1; 2000–05 critical hit for def. 2

Example Sentences

Cosby’s southern crime novel “King of Ashes” was a critical hit and a New York Times bestseller earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Their 1998 musical was a critical hit but a difficult sell.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2025

Co-written by Lynch, the film's cast of eventual screen icons, including John Hurt as Merrick and Anthony Hopkins, transformed the story of stigma into an emotional, critical hit, outpacing the original stage play.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2025

Brunson’s “Abbott Elementary,” a critical hit that turned her into an Emmy winner, was praised as a show that brought many joy and showed that different generations can work well together.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2022

“Not every show was a critical hit, but it was a successful year in terms of what was planned and what Lear hoped to do, and it wound up with a bang,” Witten said.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2022