Skip to main content

criterion — a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided

Pronunciation (IPA): /kraɪˈtɪriən/

Example Sentences

  • The only criterion for joining our pizza club is loving cheese more than your own family.
  • What's the main criterion for choosing a university?
  • Age is not a criterion for wisdom - I know 80-year-olds who still eat cereal for dinner.

criterion

NOUN

[/kraɪˈtɪriən/]

a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided

The chef uses freshness as the main criterion when picking tomatoes.
💡 Concept

The chef uses freshness as the main criterion when picking tomatoes.

Safety became the main criterion before the company approved the design. (CRITICAL + rule → a criterion is the CRITICAL RULE used to judge quality, approval, or success)
🧠 Mnemonic

Safety became the main criterion before the company approved the design. (CRITICAL + rule → a criterion is the CRITICAL RULE used to judge quality, approval, or success)

Every criterion affected the final evaluation and ultimately determined qualification.
🎵 Rhyme

Every criterion affected the final evaluation and ultimately determined qualification.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

Start FreeDemo

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kraɪˈtɪriən/
🇬🇧 UK/kraɪˈtɪəriən/

🌳Etymology

Rootcrit-
Suffix--erion

Origin

From Greek 'kriterion', derived from 'krites' (judge) and the suffix '-ion' (instrument or means). It entered English via Latin and French, originally meaning an instrument for judging or testing.

Breakdown

Greek 'krites' (judge) + '-ion' (instrument/means) = criterion (a standard for judging)

🎵Rhyme

accordioncenturionbattalion
accordion
centurion
battalion

🔗Collocations

selection criteria
meet the criteria
strict criterion
evaluation criteria
key criterion
establish criteria

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The only criterion for joining our pizza club is loving cheese more than your own family.”

“What's the main criterion for choosing a university?”

😄 Fun example

“Age is not a criterion for wisdom - I know 80-year-olds who still eat cereal for dinner.”

“The scholarship has specific academic criteria that must be met.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

standardbenchmarkmeasureyardstickgauge

Antonyms

chaosrandomnessarbitrariness

Related

criteriacriticalcritiquejudgeevaluate

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.

Start for Free60s Demo