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

Derived Forms

• ˈcrucially, adverb

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

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

It’s crucial that the flow of people into homelessness stop.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans and Musk have expressed support for cutting regulation to fuel AI innovation, a crucial part of the future of tech companies.

From Los Angeles Times

Live events are crucial for drawing millions of eyeballs at once, which is what advertisers want.

From Los Angeles Times

Kamarck said it’s crucial to get insiders to help with reforms.

From Los Angeles Times

For Mr Curyer, it is crucial that his project and others are realised in the next four years, for both Canada and the world.

From BBC

Related Words

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