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 season crystallized around powerful tailoring, suiting emerged as a cornerstone, reinterpreted with both structure and sensuality. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

However, the film’s critique of the art world only decidedly crystallizes when Chiara Caselli’s Giulia, the Italian gallery owner representing Nina, shows up over an hour into the 104-minute movie. —Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026

That reputation was fortified during Hoellering’s reign, which lasted until his death, in 1980, and crystallized by an unforgettable series of posters. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026

Firms could crystallize gains, return capital to investors, and redeploy quickly into new opportunities. —Sunaina Sinha Haldea, Fortune, 14 Feb. 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
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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