crystal

1 of 2

noun

crys·​tal ˈkri-stᵊl 

1

: quartz that is transparent or nearly so and that is either colorless or only slightly tinged

2

: something resembling crystal in transparency and colorlessness

3

: a body that is formed by the solidification of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture and has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces

4

: a clear colorless glass of superior quality

also : objects or ware of such glass

5

: the glass or transparent plastic cover over a watch or clock dial

6

: a crystalline material used in electronics as a frequency-determining element or for rectification

7

: crystal meth

broadly : methamphetamine in any form when used illicitly

crystal

2 of 2

adjective

1

: consisting of or resembling crystal : clear, lucid

2

: relating to or using a crystal

a crystal radio receiver

Synonyms

Adjective

• clear
• crystal clear
• crystalline
• limpid
• liquid
• lucent
• pellucid
• see-through
• transparent

Examples of crystal in a Sentence

Noun

the crystal structure of minerals

a necklace made of crystal

Some of the crystals used in the necklace are a pale pink color.

The wine glasses are made of the finest crystal.

She inherited her mother's crystal.

Adjective

an unspoiled region with majestic mountains and crystal streams

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

No other attempt to use the light of this shining crystal, no matter how clear, well-intentioned, or succinctly expressed, would work. —ArsTechnica, 17 May 2025

Then, researchers measure the isotopic composition of the crystals, a process that requires careful calibration and precision. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025

Adjective

For fashion's biggest night, Megan went for classic glamour in a custom Michael Kors Collection optic white lace goddess gown with crystal hand embroidery and an optic white faux fox opera coat with a sequin lining. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 6 May 2025

This scenic gorge captivates in winter, when water rushing over the vertical cliff walls freezes into a silent, crystal cathedral of blue-and-white icicles. —Lisa Kadane, AFAR Media, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cristal "transparent quartz, object made from it," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin crystallum, crystallus, crustallum "clear ice, rock crystal," borrowed from Greek krýstallos, probably borrowed from a pre-Greek substratum; replacing Old English cristalla, cristal, cristallum, borrowed from Latin crystallum

Note: Greek krýstallos was traditionally linked etymologically with krýos "icy cold, frost" and Latin crusta "hard surface layer," though the morphological details were not explicable (and crusta does not refer to ice or cold). More likely, as asserted by Robert Beekes (Etymological Dictionary of Greek [Leiden: Brill, 2010], p. 787), krýstallos, as evidenced by the suffix -allos (from *al^y- according to Beekes) and the variant króstallos, is of pre-Greek origin. Cf. notes at cryo-, crust.

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crystal

• crystal ball
• crystal clear
• crystal gazing
• crystal meth
• crystal methamphetamine
• crystal pleat
• crystal violet
• liquid crystal
• liquid crystal display
• rock crystal

Rhymes for crystal

• distal
• pistil
• pistol
• polycrystal

Kids Definition

crystal

1 of 2 noun

crys·​tal ˈkris-tᵊl 

1

: a quartz that is transparent or nearly so

2

: something transparent like crystal

3

: a solid form of a substance or mixture that has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces

a crystal of quartz

a snow crystal

a salt crystal

4

: a clear colorless glass of very good quality

also : things made of this glass

5

: the transparent cover over a watch or clock dial

crystal

2 of 2 adjective

1

: made of or resembling crystal

2

: using a crystal as a detector

a crystal radio receiver

Medical Definition

crystal

noun

crys·​tal ˈkris-tᵊl 

1

: a body that is formed by the solidification of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture and has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces

2

: crystal meth

broadly : methamphetamine in any form when used illicitly

crystal adjective

Geographical Definition

Crystal

geographical name

Crys·​tal ˈkri-stᵊl 

city in southeastern Minnesota north of Minneapolis population 22,151