criteria

Criteria is the plural form of the singular noun criterion. Because there is often more than one criterion, the plural criteria is more commonly used. The plurals of a few other words ending in -ion are also formed in this way, such as ganglion/ganglia.

The irregular plural criteria derives directly from its original pluralization in Greek. 

While less common, the standard English plural form criterions is also valid for this term. 

Criteria is sometimes treated as a singular collective noun. However, this is not considered valid in standard English, and criteria should be treated as a plural form.

Criteria is the plural of criterion—a standard or principle for judging, evaluating, or selecting something. Criteria are the ideals or requirements on which a judgment, evaluation, or selection is based.

The plural of criterion can also be criterions, but this is rarely used.

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 criteria, including their education, experience, and references—each one of these standards is a criterion. Your grade in a class may be based on certain criteria, such as your test scores, your grades on homework and other assignments, and your participation in class. Similarly, a gymnast’s score is based on several criteria involving how well they performed certain moves.

The word criteria is often used with the word meet, as in Your entry meets all of our criteria for inclusion in the exhibit. 

Sometimes, people try to use criteria as a singular noun (like how data is sometimes used), but this is generally considered not the right way to use it.

Example: We assess the candidates based on several criteria, and one criterion is that they must have at least five years of experience in a similar position.

The first records of the words criterion and criteria come from the 1600s. Criterion comes from the Greek kritḗrion, meaning “a standard,” from kritēs, “judge,” from krinein, “to decide.” The word critic and related words like critical and criticism are based on the same root.

The word criteria is always used in the context of some kind of decision, judgment, or evaluation. But it’s not only used in official or formal situations. For example, when shopping for a new TV, you may have several criteria for selecting one that include things like how big it is and how much it costs.

What are some other forms related to criteria?

• criterion (singular)
• criterions (alternate and rarely used plural)
• criterial (adjective)

What are some synonyms for criteria?

• standards
• benchmarks
• requirements

What are some words that share a root or word element with criteria? 

• critic
• critical
• criticism

What are some words that often get used in discussing criteria?

• meet
• ideal
• inclusion
• judge
• select
• choose
• eligible
• measure
• collection

Criteria is typically used in situations in which things are being judged or evaluated in some way.

DC: We have analyzed in detail when we have our nicest days (based on several criteria), looking at more than 70 yrs of data. It's right now! The top 5 months w/ most nice days: 1) Sept 2) Oct 3) May 4) Apr 5) June.
Fascinating analysis from @islivingston: https://t.co/YYyEGcOsEF

— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) October 2, 2020

By the committee's own criteria (SOS, H2H, outcomes vs common opponents etc) there isn't much rationale for having Kentucky behind Florida. Taking all those criteria into account, bizarre to see that conclusion. Cats are No. 14 in the #CFBPlayoff poll.

— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) December 2, 2018

In my #stock selection process I always check the technicals first. Only if the #chart meets my criteria I check the fundamentals and thus further norrow down potential #trading candidates. I would never buy a stock just because of good fundamentals.

— SystematiCK Trader (@SystematiCK_) September 22, 2019

Is criteria used correctly in the following sentence?

What’s your criteria for choosing a roommate?