crypto

noun cryp·to \ ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō \

Definition of crypto

plural cryptos

1 :a person who adheres or belongs secretly to a party, sect, or other group

2 :cryptography 2

Recent Examples of crypto from the Web

But let’s be fair: Surrounded by crypto-Nazis on all sides, with whom could West compromise anyway?

— elliot kaufman, National Review, "When Every Republican Is a Crypto-Nazi," 21 Aug. 2017
Bitcoin bump Bitcoin was trading at a record high of $4,150, up over $560 from Friday’s close, spurred by growing optimism that faster transaction times due to an infrastructure upgrade last week could widen the crypto-currency’s appeal.

— lorcan roche kelly, Bloomberg.com, "Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day," 14 Aug. 2017
The latest price turmoil, however, is hardly the first rodeo for long time followers of crypto-currency.

— jeff john roberts, Fortune, "Wipeout: Bitcoin and Other Digital Currencies in Price Collapse," 17 July 2017
Several central banks are toying with the idea of issuing their own crypto-currency; the Bank of Canada and the People’s Bank of China are running tests.

— The Economist, "If blockchains ran the worldDisrupting the trust business," 13 July 2017
This widespread selloff in crypto-currencies comes on the heels of last week's massive flash crash in ether.

— luke kawa, Bloomberg.com, "Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day," 26 June 2017
Fedler is the perfect Lee County Democrat: born and raised there, and drafted at age 19 to serve as a radio Teletype operator with a secret crypto clearance.

— salena zito, Twin Cities, "Salena Zito: In small-town Iowa, a humble model for Democratic politicians," 7 June 2017
Left unchecked, this growing crypto-mania could be hugely destructive to one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century. *

— david z. morris, The Atlantic, "The Rise of Cryptocurrency Ponzi Schemes," 31 May 2017
The crypto-currency soared past $2,000 for the first time over the weekend as investors increasingly treat it as a new gold standard and countries such as Japan and China integrate it into their banking systems.

— jon swartz, USA TODAY, "Bitcoin hits record $2,000 — and rising," 22 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crypto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of crypto

crypt-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1946

See Words from the same year

crypto

adjective

Definition of crypto

1 :not openly avowed or declared —often used in combination

crypto-fascist

2 :cryptographic

Recent Examples of crypto from the Web

The CDC provides the following tips for avoiding crypto infection: Don't swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea.

— lucy berry, AL.com, "'Crypto' parasite outbreaks on the rise at pools, waterparks in Alabama, US," 18 May 2017
After the ransomware began infecting users on Friday, they were given 72 hours to pay $300 in bitcoin — chosen by the hackers because the crypto currency is harder to track than conventional payments — or pay twice as much.

— nate lanxon and adam satariano, chicagotribune.com, "Few victims are paying hackers because using bitcoin is hard," 15 May 2017
After the ransomware began infecting users on Friday, they were given 72 hours to pay $300 in bitcoin -- chosen by the hackers because the crypto currency is harder to track than conventional payments -- or pay twice as much.

— adam satariano, Bloomberg.com, "Hardly Anyone Paying the Hackers? Because Using Bitcoin Is Hard," 15 May 2017

First Known Use of crypto

1681

Medical Dictionary

crypto

noun cryp·to \ ˈkrip-(ˌ)tō \

medical Definition of crypto

:cryptosporidium 2; also :cryptosporidiosis

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up crypto? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

crypto

Definition of crypto

Recent Examples of crypto from the Web

Origin and Etymology of crypto

crypto

Definition of crypto

Recent Examples of crypto from the Web

First Known Use of crypto

Medical Dictionary

crypto

medical Definition of crypto

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

Spell It

Add Diction

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

crypto

Definition of crypto

People Are Reading

Recent Examples of crypto from the Web

Origin and Etymology of crypto

crypto

Definition of crypto

Recent Examples of crypto from the Web

First Known Use of crypto

Medical Dictionary

crypto

medical Definition of crypto

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066