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

Donors can buy a silver cup featuring 44 emeralds for $1,000 or a gold cup featuring 44 crystals for $5,000 at woodfordreserve.com. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2024

During life, proteins that helped to calcify the eggshell became trapped within the mineral crystals. —Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024

The team was surprised that the Wigner crystal remained stable over a longer range than expected. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024

There are 300 cups available to purchase: 200 silver cups with 44 emeralds priced at $1,000, and 100 gold cups with 44 crystals priced at $5,000 (these also come with a coffee table book about the Derby). —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024

Among the outfits is a sheer cutout catsuit (very Britney Spears!) studded with crystals. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

Go wild with crystals of differing shapes, sizes and colors, and finish with an extra glossy layer of clear polish for a final touch of dazzling shine. —Georgia Day, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024

It was created using a metal deposition process called electroforming that involves stamping the dial with irregular shapes resembling crystals with sharp angles. —Carol Besler, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

That would be SpaceGodzilla, who looks just like Godzilla, but with giant purple-tinged crystals growing from its back. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024

Adjective

Just after taking a dip in the crystal blue water and lying out on their private beach, the power couple strolled hand in hand down a dock. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024

Florence Pugh Florence Pugh also followed suit in a silver ensemble that also reminded us of the open water, thanks to its crystal water droplets. —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024

Two hours east of Los Angeles, the city of Indian Wells sits in the arid Coachella Valley, where the crystal blue of an often unbearably bright sky touches down on the terra-cotta terrain. —ELLE Decor, 24 May 2023

While the long, warm days are perfect to spend by the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, travelers who want a little more substance to their vacation can head inland to experience the island's charming towns, rustic cuisine, and ancient ruins. —Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024

Outside, a crystal blue ocean stretches for miles behind her. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2024

Among pieces designated for a grand reveal is a jeweled top dripping in crystal fringe. —Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2024

Malta has become increasingly popular over the years, with its crystal blue waters and numerous historic sites. —Jordi Lippe, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024

The crosses are strung together end to end, then finished with crystal charms at the end and met with a brass chain. —Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2024

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

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