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

These dynamics leave crucial decisions in the hands of a few advisory firms that wield disproportionate influence over the trajectory of corporations while operating with minimal accountability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Reducing Beijing’s influence over the region won’t be easy; China is now South America’s top trade partner and a crucial source of investments and financing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They also provided support for children who lost crucial social-emotional development skills.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

According to Schaefer, the results also highlight how international scientific partnerships are crucial for making progress in complex fields like neurodegeneration.

Read more on Science Daily

"It's crucial not be taking any baggage from this result into Brisbane."

Read more on Barron's

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.