a person who secretly supports or adheres to a group, party, or belief.
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.
First recorded in 1945–50; probably independent use of crypto-; cf. -o
Combining form representing Greek kryptós hidden. See crypt
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Investigators said the crypto wallet where Yaroch had deposited the money contained roughly $1 million.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
A few hours later, Srinivasan posted a video of himself alongside a Kazakhstani deputy prime minister—a former executive at crypto exchange Binance—signing an agreement to open a Network School campus there.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
It noted that the total crypto market capitalization fell 11% and total crypto spot trading volumes slid 25% from the previous quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Lummis has been a top supporter of the crypto legislation.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
“After university I went straight to work as a crypto math researcher at the Doughnut,” she said.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
However, 80,000 bitcoins sit untouched in a now famous crypto- wallet address starting with '1Feex'.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2024
Block, the payments company led by Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, has long been a crypto- backer.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2024
Tomorrow’s crypto- and blockchain-enhanced internet may achieve the same for value.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 5, 2022
That’s part of the reason for the crypto- prefix that shows up on words like “cryptocurrency.”
From The Verge ● Sep. 9, 2021
Her obsessive pursuit of a crypto- archaeological item is solidly in the “Raiders” playbook as well.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 14, 2018
The world’s largest crypto by total market capitalization did get some good news as investor Cathie Wood’s ARK funds continued to bet big on stocks exposed to cryptos.
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
Investors may be rotating out of cryptos and into equities ahead of several big initial public offerings, Thahbib Rahman, analyst at crypto analytics firm Block Scholes, said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
A stable or easing rate environment typically supports risk appetite and cryptos, he added.
From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026
Ethereum, the second-biggest cryptos, and popular altcoin XRP fell by 3.3% and 2.7%, respectively.
From Barron's ● Apr. 23, 2026
Higher energy prices, linked to fighting in the Middle East, have weighed on the global economy and on risky assets like cryptos.
From Barron's ● Apr. 15, 2026
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
