crypto

¹ American  

[krip-toh] / ˈkrɪp toʊ /

noun

plural

cryptos

1. a person who secretly supports or adheres to a group, party, or belief.

2. cryptocurrency.

3. cryptography.

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adjective

1. secret or hidden; not publicly admitted.

   a crypto Nazi.

crypto- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “hidden,” “secret,” used in the formation of compound words.

   cryptograph.

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crypto- British  

combining form

1. secret, hidden, or concealed

   cryptography

   crypto-fascist

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Usage

What does crypto- mean? Crypto- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “hidden, secret.” It is used in many scientific, medical, and other technical terms.Crypto- comes from the Greek kryptós, meaning “hidden.” The word crypt also derives from this root. Dig up the connection at our entry for the word.In anatomy, crypto- specifically refers to a crypt in its specialized sense of a “slender pit or recess” or a “small glandular cavity.”What are variants of crypto-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, crypto- becomes crypt-, as in cryptitis.

Etymology

Origin of crypto¹

First recorded in 1945–50; probably independent use of crypto-; -o

Origin of crypto-¹

Combining form representing Greek kryptós hidden. See crypt

Example Sentences

The world’s largest crypto has stabilized following last weekend’s rout, during which the price of Bitcoin dropped under $75,000—its lowest level since April 2025.

From Barron's

Continuing selling by crypto “whales,” who hold large amounts of the digital assets, continued to weigh on the market along with forced liquidations and fragile sentiment, Trade Nation analyst David Morrison said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

More companies followed Strategy’s lead, convinced of crypto’s long-term prospects, and their token purchases helped lift prices even higher.

From The Wall Street Journal

Late last year, investors began to rotate out of riskier holdings like tech stocks and crypto.

From The Wall Street Journal

Saylor, long the never-sell-your-bitcoin evangelist, rattled markets by suggesting that his company could sell some of its sizable bitcoin stash or bitcoin derivatives if its mNAV—its enterprise value divided by the value of its crypto holdings—were to drop below one.

From The Wall Street Journal