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• crypt
  crypt

  noun

  a subterranean chamber or vault, especially one beneath the main floor of a church, used as a burial place, a location for secret meetings, etc.
• crypt-
  crypt-

  variant of crypto- before a vowel.

crypt

¹ American  

[kript] / krɪpt /

noun

• crypts
  plural

1. a subterranean chamber or vault, especially one beneath the main floor of a church, used as a burial place, a location for secret meetings, etc.

2. Anatomy. a slender pit or recess; a small glandular cavity.

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crypt- ² American  

1. variant of crypto- before a vowel.

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crypt British  

/ krɪpt /

noun

1. a cellar, vault, or underground chamber, esp beneath a church, where it is often used as a chapel, burial place, etc

2. anatomy any pitlike recess or depression

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Usage

What does crypt- 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.”Crypt- is a variant of crypto-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use crypto- article.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undercrypt
  noun
• cryptal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crypts
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of crypt

1375–1425 for sense “grotto”; 1555–65 for current senses; late Middle English cripte < Latin crypta < Greek kryptḗ hidden place, noun use of feminine of kryptós hidden, verbid of krýptein to hide; replacing earlier crypta < Latin, as above

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Explanation

A crypt is a vault for burying the dead and is often underneath or part of a church building. Crypt rhymes with "gripped," and if you saw a corpse come out of a crypt, you would definitely be gripped with terror. While a coffin is a rectangular box used for burying dead people underground, a crypt is often an elaborate stone or marble vault that's above ground. Some cultures believe in investing in large, decorated crypts to honor the dead, while others choose simpler chambers very close together for keeping family members near, even in death. A crypt can inspire scary thoughts of lids popping and doors opening for the walking dead, but that's due mostly to the widespread crypt scenes in horror movies. Mostly.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crypt crypts

The actress became visibly emotional as she recounted the events of the crypt and attempted to justify grabbing the shield before offering it to Fry.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The exhibition is organized into six themed “chambers” devoted to Gothic horror, psychological horror, science, slashers, religion and ghosts, with settings ranging from a shadowy crypt to a killer’s house and a haunted living room.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

For safe-keeping, the flag is displayed in very low light, giving the chamber a sacred feel, like a cathedral crypt.

From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026

Inside the memorial is a crypt containing the remains of more than 1,000 other soldiers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026

His respectful, whispery voice sounded like air leaking out of a crypt.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

Brontë was fascinated by silent crypts and tormenting passions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

As a result, the intestines of older adults become a mix of younger and much older crypts.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 10, 2026

All the mummified remains in the various crypts, apart from the Crusader are of people who died between 400 and 450 years ago, according to the Church.

From BBC ● Mar. 30, 2025

The preserved corpses were unintentionally mummified when they were buried in crypts in a dry, mineral-rich soil environment in the mining state of Guanajuato.

From Seattle Times ● May 27, 2024

He had always thought of the crypts as cold, and so they seemed in summer, but now as they descended the air grew warmer.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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