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.
Crypto investors tend to chase momentum, he noted: When crypto is working, they add exposure; when it is not, they look elsewhere.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun is another previous winner.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
That was the golden era of Magic and all those guys, then Kobe and them moved up to Staples, which is now Crypto.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
Crypto volume in April was down 32% year over year, the company reported Tuesday.
From Barron's • May 12, 2026
Crypto was “a kind of private bodyguard,” Elizebeth wrote—“the first of many dogs and cats we supplied for our children.”
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
