crucial
Definitions
Decisive or extremely important; the point on which an outcome depends
至关重要的；决定性的；结果取决于此的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcruc (cross) + -ial (adj.) = 'cross-shaped, at the crossroads.' A crossroads is where you must decide which way to go — the deciding point. Francis Bacon's 'crossroads experiment' (instantia crucis) was a test that settled which of two theories was true, and from that crucial took on its modern sense: the point where everything is decided, hence extremely important.
Root cruc still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
- crucial to / for: crucial to success, crucial for the team — both work; 'to' leans toward a goal, 'for' toward a beneficiary.
- It is crucial that...: takes the subjunctive in formal English — 'It is crucial that he be informed' (not 'is informed').
- Stronger and more decisive than important: crucial implies an outcome literally hinges on it.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The next few weeks will be crucial for the negotiations.
- 2.
Getting enough sleep is crucial to your health.
- 3.
She played a crucial role in the company's recovery.
- 4.
It is crucial that we act before the deadline.
Easily Confused
crucial vs important — Everything crucial is important, but not vice versa. Important means 'matters a lot'; crucial means 'the outcome literally depends on it.' A meeting can be important without being crucial; you call it crucial only when failure here means the whole thing fails.
Synonym Comparison
- crucial — decisive; the outcome hinges on it
- important — matters, but not necessarily decisive
- vital — essential for survival or functioning, like a vital organ
- critical — at a turning point where things could go badly; also = serious (critical condition)
- essential — absolutely required as a component; you cannot do without it