crystalline

1 of 2

adjective

crys·​tal·​line ˈkri-stə-lən How to pronounce crystalline (audio)
also -ˌlīn, 
-ˌlēn
Synonyms of crystallinenext
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 How to pronounce crystalline (audio)
noun

crystallinity

2 of 2

noun

crys·​tal·​lin·​i·​ty ˌkri-stə-ˈli-nə-tē How to pronounce crystallinity (audio)
plural -es
: the quality or state of being crystalline : degree of crystallization

Synonyms of crystalline

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Adjective

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Examples of crystalline in a Sentence

Adjective we could see fish swimming beneath the crystalline ice of the frozen lake
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.
Adjective
The device is completed by caps of crystalline silicon at each end, the source and drain. — IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2026 Science aside, the clean, crystalline water inspires an irresistible urge to dive right in. — Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026 The lush gardens, manicured but also a touch sauvage, have plenty of recliners, and a crystalline pool just begs for a quick dip. — Caitlin Gunther, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026 But trying to get something smoky and wild like mezcal to fit into the clean, crystalline purity of a Martini seemed, at first, insane. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for crystalline

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary crystalline + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crystalline was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing crystalline

Rhymes for crystalline

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Browse Nearby Words

crystalligerous
crystalline
crystalline cone
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

crystalline

adjective
crys·​tal·​line ˈkris-tə-lən How to pronounce crystalline (audio)
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 How to pronounce crystalline (audio)
noun
plural crystallinities

More from Merriam-Webster on crystalline

Nglish: Translation of crystalline for Spanish Speakers

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