crystalline
Americanadjective
-
of or like crystal; clear; transparent.
-
formed by crystallization.
-
composed of crystals.
-
pertaining to crystals or their formation.
adjective
-
having the characteristics or structure of crystals
-
consisting of or containing crystals
-
made of or like crystal; transparent; clear
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of crystalline
1350–1400; Middle English cristal ( l ) yn ( e ) < Latin crystallinus < Greek krystállinos. See crystal, -ine 1
Explanation
Things that are made of or resemble crystals are crystalline. Crystalline rocks you find on the beach are glittery and reflective, with many symmetrical planes or surfaces. A geologist will use the adjective crystalline very literally, describing crystalline chunks of quartz or the crystalline planes of a salt molecule seen under a microscope. Sometimes the word is also used to mean "extremely clear," like the crystalline prose of a short story or the crystalline forms of your striking black-and-white photography. The Greek source is krystallinos, "of crystal," from kryos, "frost."
Vocabulary lists containing crystalline
Earth Science - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Structure and Properties of Matter - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Rocks and Minerals - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the groaning synthesizer underneath her bashful smile tells you something is off — a crystalline tone now distended, unnerving.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
For under $5, I would strongly recommend a box of Turbinado sugar, which retains some of its natural molasses and gives desserts this deeply satisfying crystalline crunch.
From Salon ● May 25, 2026
In crystalline As2S3, this response happens even under low-intensity ultraviolet light.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 21, 2026
Ms. O’Hara, best known for her crystalline singing in musical revivals, proves to have a similarly wide range of octaves when it comes to physical comedy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026
On either side, crystalline rock had been carved into glittering Grecian columns.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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.
