crystalline

adjective

Save Word

crys·tal·line | \ ˈkri-stə-lən

also -ˌlīn, -ˌlēn \

Definition of crystalline

1 : resembling crystal: such as

a : strikingly clear or sparkling crystalline air a crystalline lake

b : clear-cut

2 : made of crystal : composed of crystals

3 : constituting or relating to a crystal

Other Words from crystalline Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about crystalline

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of crystalline in a Sentence

we could see fish swimming beneath the crystalline ice of the frozen lake

Recent Examples on the Web At the center and bottom of its 37-foot hull are two, rectangular openings, where nearly inch-thick panes of Coast Guard approved strength will be inserted for a window of crystalline clarity 4 feet wide and 16 feet long. — Kevin Spear, USA TODAY, "'They won't have to separate from ... family': Florida attraction to get glass-bottom boat for wheelchairs," 25 Jan. 2021 To him, the ubiquitous paradigms of noun-endings (declensions) and verb-endings (conjugations) possessed all the crystalline beauty of a Bach fugue. — Margalit Fox, New York Times, "Reginald Foster, Vatican Latinist Who Tweeted in the Language, Dies at 81," 27 Dec. 2020 The ensemble backdrop is crystalline, misty sighs, while the solo cello line expands into melancholy arias without words; sometimes the tone is passionate, dark-hued nocturne, sometimes ethereal lullaby. — New York Times, "Tyshawn Sorey: The Busiest Composer of the Bleakest Year," 1 Jan. 2021 Coarse salt is more crystalline and rough and works for seasoning, sprinkling, and marinating. — Ana Sanchez, chicagotribune.com, "The best salt," 23 Dec. 2020 Bob Cardenas, lumbered into the crystalline California air with the X-1 clutched to its underbelly. — Chuck Yeager, Popular Mechanics, "How the Late Flying Legend Chuck Yeager Broke the Sound Barrier," 8 Dec. 2020 And recent release Stoned Vibes is no exception, marrying rich jewel tones with crystalline shimmer for truly prismatic sparkle – perfect for creating an expensive evening look. — Laura Sutherland, CNN Underscored, "Cyber Monday: The best deals in the UK," 29 Nov. 2020 Her ivory-white hair, long now from months without a cut, and her eyes — the crystalline blue-gray of a winter sky. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: No FaceTime, no Zoom. Why a digital detox is on my Thanksgiving menu," 24 Nov. 2020 The Italian marble countertops are crystalline but not too veiny. — Doug Maccash | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "How would Drew Brees' (alleged) 'baller' condo at the Four Seasons Hotel look? Get a sneak preview," 28 Oct. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about crystalline

Dictionary Entries near crystalline

Statistics for crystalline

Last Updated

5 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Crystalline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystalline. Accessed 8 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for crystalline

crystalline

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of crystalline

: clear and shining like crystal

technical : made of or similar to crystal or crystals

See the full definition for crystalline in the English Language Learners Dictionary

crystalline

adjective

crys·tal·line | \ ˈkri-stə-lən

Kids Definition of crystalline

1 : made of crystal or composed of crystals

2 : clear entry 1 sense 4

crystalline

adjective

crys·tal·line | \ ˈkris-tə-lən also -ˌlīn, -ˌlēn \

Medical Definition of crystalline

1 : composed of or resembling crystals

2a : formed by crystallization : having regular arrangement of the atoms in a space lattice — see amorphous sense 2

b : having the internal structure though not necessarily the external form of a crystal granite is only crystalline, while quartz crystal is perfectly crystallized