Meaning & use
criteria
Last updated
UK/kraɪˈtɪəriə/
US/kraɪˈtɪriə/
Meaning
nounpluralformal
The standards or rules by which something is judged or a decision is made.
Grammar: Plural of criterion, so it takes a plural verb: the criteria are clear.
Patterns
- criteria for something
- meet the criteria
- based on criteria
The criteria for the scholarship are listed online.
Applicants must meet all the criteria.
We judged the entries on three criteria.
Word forms
| singular | criterion |
|---|
Common combinations
- meet the criteria
- She meets the criteria for the job.
- selection criteria
- The selection criteria were published before interviews.
- strict criteria
- The prize has strict criteria.
- criteria for
- What are the criteria for admission?
- set criteria
- The board set criteria for new members.
Synonyms and how they differ
- standards
- Standards often means levels of quality expected, whereas criteria are the specific points used for judging.
- requirements
- Requirements are things you must have, while criteria may also be used to rank or compare.
- benchmarks
- Benchmarks are reference points for measuring performance, usually numerical.
Word family
Commonly confused: criteria or criterion?
criteria vs criterion
Criterion is the singular and criteria the plural, so one standard is a criterion.
Practice
The main ___ for the award are originality and impact.
Choose one answer.
Criteria is the correct plural, and the verb are matches it. Criterion is singular and would need is.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “criteria”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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