criterion

criterion — noun

1. A rule, measure, or principle that you use to decide whether something is good e

1.nounB2
Definition

A rule, measure, or principle that you use to decide whether something is good enough, correct, or suitable for a purpose.

Example

Dr. Okafor explained that the main hiring criterion is experience working in diverse teams.

criterion + for + noun phrase (hiring)

The Watanabe family chose their new home based on several important criteria, including safety and cost.

criteria (plural) as countable noun

Common collocations
  • meet a criterion
  • satisfy a criterion
  • fulfil a criterion
  • criteria for (admission / selection / evaluation)
  • selection criterion
  • admission criterion
  • strict criterion
  • objective criterion
Synonyms
  • standard

    the most general and widely used term; a level of quality expected

  • benchmark

    a reference point used for comparison, often in performance evaluation

  • yardstick

    informal and metaphorical; a measure used to compare quality or success

  • gauge

    a test or measure used to assess something, especially progress or capacity

Grammar Patterns

criterion + for + noun/gerund phrase

criteria + for + noun phrase + be + adjective

meet / satisfy / fulfil + criteria

Usage Note

The plural form “criteria” is very common in academic and professional writing. In everyday speech, “criteria” sometimes appears with a singular verb, but formal English maintains the distinction: use “criterion” for one standard and “criteria” for two or more.

Common Mistakes

These criterias are not clear.
These criteria are not clear.
“Criteria” is already the plural form; adding –s is a common error.
This criteria is very strict.
This criterion is very strict.
“Criteria” is plural; use “criterion” when referring to a single standard.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words describe something used to measure or judge quality, but they differ in emphasis. “Standard” is the broadest and most neutral term — it refers to the expected level of quality or achievement (e.g., “The hotel failed to meet basic safety standards”). “Benchmark” is a reference point used for comparison, especially in business or education to track progress over time (e.g., “This test score serves as a benchmark for future improvement”). “Yardstick” is more informal and metaphorical — it suggests a practical, common-sense way to measure something (“Customer satisfaction is the best yardstick of success”). “Gauge” implies a test of capacity, ability, or current state (“The number of applications is a good gauge of interest in the programme”). “Touchstone” is the most literary and elevated; it refers to an ideal or classic example against which similar things are compared (“Hitchcock’s films are the touchstone for modern suspense movies”). Use “standard” for general expectations, “benchmark” for formal comparisons, and “touchstone” only in formal or evaluative writing.

standard ↗benchmark ↗yardstickgauge ↗touchstone

Common collocations

Nouns

  • admission criterion
  • selection criterion
  • eligibility criterion
  • performance criterion
  • design criterion

Phrases

  • meet the criteria
  • satisfy the criteria
  • fulfil the criteria
  • set criteria
  • apply criteria
  • base criteria on

Prepositions

  • criterion for
  • criteria for
  • criterion of
  • criteria of

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The word “criterion” comes from Greek “kritērion” (κριτήριον), meaning “a means for judging,” which came from “kritēs” (κριτής), meaning “a judge.” Both are based on the verb “krinein” (κρίνειν), meaning “to separate, decide, or judge.” The word entered English through Latin, keeping the Greek plural form “criteria” rather than adopting the English plural –s.