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

Charli XCX's sixth album, Brat, was released in June, becoming a critical hit worldwide, while a recent remix album topped the UK charts in October.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2024

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

The play, about a working-class man coping with his conflicting feelings for his deceased father, was a critical hit for the National Theater.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2022