crystalline

adjective

crys·​tal·​line ˈkri-stə-lən 

also -ˌlīn, 

-ˌlēn

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

crystallinity

ˌkri-stə-ˈli-nə-tē 

noun

Synonyms of crystalline

• crystal
• transparent
• liquid
• clear

Examples of crystalline in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Miller’s writing style is crystalline, and the setting is beautifully rendered. —The Know, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026

In Austin’s third collection, readers can expect his trademark gorgeously crystalline lyrics interspersed with more conversational wanderings, capturing new stages of life. —Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026

The trees were bare and crystalline and white. —Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025

Florida State University researchers have engineered a crystalline material that twists magnetism into swirling patterns, a discovery that could push the boundaries of data storage, energy-efficient electronics, and future quantum technologies. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cristallin, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin crystallinus, borrowed from Greek krystállinos, from krýstallos "clear ice, crystal entry 1" + -inos -ine entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crystalline

• crystalline lens

Rhymes for crystalline

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

crystalline

adjective

crys·​tal·​line ˈkris-tə-lən 

1

: clear or sparkling like crystal

crystalline drops of honey

2

: made of crystal or crystals

3

: of or relating to a crystal

Medical Definition

crystalline

adjective

crys·​tal·​line

ˈkris-tə-lən also -ˌlīn, -ˌlēn

1

: composed of or resembling crystals

2

a

: 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

crystallinity

ˌkris-tə-ˈlin-ət-ē 

noun

plural crystallinities