crystallize

verb

crys·​tal·​lize ˈkri-stə-ˌlīz 

variants or less commonly crystalize

crystallized; crystallizing

transitive verb

1

: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form

2

: to cause to take a definite form

tried to crystallize his thoughts

3

: to coat with crystals especially of sugar

crystallize grapes

intransitive verb

: to become crystallized

crystallizable

ˈkri-stə-ˌlī-zə-bəl, 

ˌkri-stə-ˈlī- 

adjective

crystallization

ˌkri-stə-li-ˈzā-shən 

noun

crystallizer noun

Synonyms of crystallize

• form
• solidify

Examples of crystallize in a Sentence

Eventually the paint will start to crystallize.

Certain conditions can cause carbon to crystallize into diamonds.

Certain conditions can crystallize carbon into diamonds.

The final paragraph of the essay crystallizes her theory.

He tried to crystallize his thoughts.

Her theory crystallizes in the final paragraph of the essay.

Recent Examples on the Web

This artistic neverland is crystallized in the apartment building that has music pouring out of every floor when Ali rides the elevator. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

Huddling for a final photo with Anaya, the moment crystallized her personal journey to being a brash, outspoken leader of the team. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026

The analysis found consistent, statistically significant correlations between need for cognition and fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence and general intelligence. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

But how the homicides he is accused of affected the then-small-town of Concord are crystallized in newspaper clippings. —Julia Coin may 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

crystal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for crystallize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

crystallize

verb

crys·​tal·​lize ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz 

crystallized; crystallizing

1

a

: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form

b

: to become crystallized

2

: to take or cause to take definite form

the plan crystallized slowly

crystallization

ˌkris-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

crystallize

verb

crys·​tal·​lize

variants also crystalize also British crystallise or crystalise

ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz 

crystallized also crystallized also British crystallised or crystallised; crystallizing also crystallizing also British crystallising or crystallising

transitive verb

: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form

especially : to cause to form perfect or large crystals

intransitive verb

: to become crystallized

—often used with out

the solid crystallized out

crystallizable

-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective