noun
Common
crystal
KRIHS-tuhl
Crystal (noun) means a solid substance whose atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, often forming clear geometric shapes. Example: “Snowflakes are made of tiny ice crystals.”
noun
1
A solid substance whose atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, often forming clear geometric shapes.
"Snowflakes are made of tiny ice crystals."
"Salt forms small cubic crystals as the water evaporates."
"Under the microscope, the sugar crystals looked like tiny glass blocks."
2
A clear, glass-like mineral, or fine glassware made to resemble it.
"The chandelier was made of hand-cut crystal."
"She keeps her best crystal in a glass cabinet."
"The crystal vase sparkled in the afternoon sunlight."
adjective
1
Extremely clear.
"The water in the lagoon was crystal clear."
"The instructions were crystal clear, so nobody needed to ask questions."
"On the mountain, the air felt crisp and the stream was crystal clear."
How to use crystal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA clear, often geometrically shaped mineral or glass, or an adjective meaning very clear.
Common pairings
crystal clear
crystal glass
crystal ball
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Word forms
- Plural
- crystals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Snowflakes are made of tiny ice _____.
Etymology
From Greek krystallos ("clear ice"), reflecting how ancient people once believed quartz crystal was permanently frozen ice.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for crystal
See all rhymes for crystal →Frequently asked questions
What does “crystal” mean?
The word “crystal” means a solid substance whose atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, often forming clear geometric shapes. In plain terms, a clear, often geometrically shaped mineral or glass, or an adjective meaning very clear.
How do you pronounce “crystal”?
“Crystal” is pronounced KRIHS-tuhl (/ˈkɹɪstəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “crystal” in a sentence?
Here is “crystal” used in a sentence: “Snowflakes are made of tiny ice crystals.”
What is another word for “crystal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “crystal” include crystalline.
What part of speech is “crystal”?
Depending on how it is used, “crystal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “crystal” come from?
The word “crystal” comes from Greek. From Greek krystallos ("clear ice"), reflecting how ancient people once believed quartz crystal was permanently frozen ice.
Is “crystal” a common word?
“Crystal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crystal” have?
“Crystal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a solid substance whose atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, often forming clear geometric shapes.
What is the difference between a crystal and a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid with a definite chemical make-up. A crystal is the form a solid takes when its atoms line up in a regular, repeating pattern, often producing clear geometric shapes. Many minerals are crystals, but crystals can also be man-made, such as grown quartz or salt.
What are examples of crystals?
Everyday examples include table salt, sugar, and snowflakes, all of which have orderly atomic patterns. Gemstones such as diamond, quartz, and amethyst are crystals too, prized for their geometric shapes and clarity. Even metals and many rocks are made of tiny crystals packed together.
How do crystals form?
Crystals form when atoms or molecules settle into a regular, repeating arrangement as a substance solidifies — as molten rock cools, as water evaporates from a salty solution, or as vapour freezes. Given time and stable conditions, this ordered growth produces the flat faces and geometric shapes crystals are known for.
Why are crystals clear and geometric?
Their clarity and sharp shapes come from the highly ordered way their atoms are stacked. Because the internal pattern repeats evenly in every direction, the outer surfaces grow as flat faces meeting at consistent angles, and light can pass cleanly through a well-formed, defect-free crystal, giving it a transparent appearance.
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