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View synonyms for crucial

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈcrucially, adverb
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Other Words From

  • cru·ci·al·i·ty [kroo-shee-, al, -i-tee, kroo-, shal, -], noun
  • crucial·ly adverb
  • non·crucial adjective
  • non·crucial·ly adverb
  • pre·crucial adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of crucial1

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

Origin of crucial1

C18: from French, from Latin crux cross
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Example Sentences

The crucial test: how do the predictions hold up in real life?

The unfortunate feeling is a problem as the majority of the world's population doesn't consume enough fibers, which are crucial for our bodies.

However, according to the research team, the in-plane temperature gradient is also crucial and allows to probe the out-of-plane polarization using ANE measurements.

Nowadays, the hippocampus is recognized as a crucial region in the human brain, involved in memory formation and spatial navigation.

Characters already play the family upright at important moments in the story, and it plays a crucial role in the emotional climax.

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More About Crucial

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.

Where does crucial come from?

The first records of the word crucial come from around the early 1700s. It comes from the Latin crux, which means “cross” and is also the root of the English word crux, meaning “a vital, basic, decisive, or pivotal point.”

Crucial decisions about crucial actions need to be made at crucial times. These crucial points in time are like a crossroads leading to very different directions or different outcomes.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of crucial?

  • crucially (adverb)
  • cruciality (noun)

What are some synonyms for crucial?

What are some words that share a root or word element with crucial

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing crucial?

 

How is crucial used in real life?

The word crucial is typically used in the discussion of pivotal moments or decisions.

 

 

Try using crucial!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of crucial?

A. optional
B. critical
C. imperitive
D. important

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