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• crypto
  crypto

  noun

  a person who secretly supports or adheres to a group, party, or belief.
• crypto-
  crypto-

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

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-; cf. -o

Origin of crypto-²

Combining form representing Greek kryptós hidden. See crypt

Example Sentences

Others, such as Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale and crypto founder David Marcus, who maxed out to Mahan, are also Trump backers.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

That meant the largest crypto by total market capitalization was trading 62% off the record high it hit in October.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Investors can get access through direct secondary marketplaces, exchange-traded funds that advertise private-company exposure and even crypto tokens that seek to mirror the performance of the company’s shares.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

In a statement to Sky News, who first reported the purchase, Reform said "Mr Farage had already passed proof of funds and the relevant checks before receiving the gift" from the crypto billionaire Harborne.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

“After university I went straight to work as a crypto math researcher at the Doughnut,” she said.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti