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.
Shares of Robinhood Markets surged in early Tuesday trading, as investors cheered the stock and crypto trading platform’s disclosure that it was cutting nearly 300 jobs.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026
On June 1, the bitcoin-hoarding company Strategy disclosed that it had sold the digital currency during the previous week, sending shock waves through the crypto markets.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
The crypto billionaire's quick rise was matched by his fall with FTX collapsing after a deluge of customer withdrawals.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
The 34-year-old co-founder of crypto exchange FTX is currently in federal prison serving a 25-year sentence after he was convicted in 2023 of fraud, embezzlement and criminal conspiracy.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
“After university I went straight to work as a crypto math researcher at the Doughnut,” she said.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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.
