Criteria is typically a plural noun referring to standards on which a judgement can be made. Its singular form is criterion, but evidence shows that criteria is frequently used as a singular as well as a plural.

Criteria are often the particular requirements that someone or something must meet in order to be considered or qualify for something. An applicant for a job may be evaluated based on several …

plural of criterion (Definition of criteria from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

We have outlined clear commonwealth criteria for such facilities. You will need to provide evidence that you meet one of these criteria. The problem with that is the criteria for testing keeps changing. What …

In standard usage, the plural is generally criteria, although criterions is sometimes used as well. Properly speaking, the form criteria should never be a singular noun, and phrases like this criteria and single …

Definition of criterion noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Although criteria is sometimes used as a singular, most often in speech and rather infrequently in edited prose, it continues strongly in use as a plural in standard English, with criterion as the singular.

We have specific criteria and certain limitations. But it is in virtue of having fought at all that he passes beyond the criteria of the time and becomes one of the great captains of history.

Oct 8, 2025 · The word criteria is often treated as singular or even uncountable, but these uses are usually still considered incorrect, because the standard singular form is criterion.

'Criteria' means a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something.