crystal

1 of 2

noun

crys·​tal ˈkri-stᵊl How to pronounce crystal (audio)
Synonyms of crystalnext
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 of crystal

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Adjective

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Her recent favorite discovery was a vintage crystal heart earring all by its lonesome. — Micaela English, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 Her Oscar de la Renta minidress was formed from strands of crystals draped over a nude base, with an open back and more beading suspended around her arms. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
Adjective
His newest product is a crystal orb that accommodates cigars up to a 74-ring gauge. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 May 2026 There, a dock sits almost level with the crystal-blue water—the same color as the fervedouros—and wooden steps descend into the cool water. — Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crystal

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 *aly- according to Beekes) and the variant króstallos, is of pre-Greek origin. Cf. notes at cryo-, crust.

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crystal was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing crystal

Rhymes for crystal

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Crystal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crystal

1 of 2 noun
crys·​tal ˈkris-tᵊl How to pronounce crystal (audio)
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 How to pronounce crystal (audio)
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 How to pronounce Crystal (audio)
city in southeastern Minnesota north of Minneapolis population 22,151

More from Merriam-Webster on crystal

Nglish: Translation of crystal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crystal

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