crystallize

[ kris-tl-ahyz ]

/ ˈkrɪs tlˌaɪz /

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See synonyms for crystallize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), crys·tal·lized, crys·tal·liz·ing.

to form into crystals; cause to assume crystalline form.

to give definite or concrete form to: to crystallize an idea.

to coat with sugar.

verb (used without object), crys·tal·lized, crys·tal·liz·ing.

to form crystals; become crystalline in form.

to assume definite or concrete form.

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Also especially British, crys·tal·lise .

Origin of crystallize

First recorded in 1590–1600; crystall- + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM crystallize

crys·tal·liz·a·bil·i·ty, nouncrys·tal·liz·a·ble, adjectivecrys·tal·liz·er, nounnon·crys·tal·liz·a·ble, adjective

non·crys·tal·lized, adjectivenon·crys·tal·liz·ing, adjectiveun·crys·tal·liz·a·ble, adjectiveun·crys·tal·lized, adjective

Words nearby crystallize

crystalliferous, crystalline, crystalline lens, crystallite, crystallization, crystallize, crystallo-, crystallog., crystallographic, crystallographic axis, crystallography

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use crystallize in a sentence

Overall, the downward trend of mail voting suggests that the popular perception that the pandemic would prompt a national, predominantly mail election — an idea crystallized during the spring and early summer — is outdated.
We’ve Had 56 Statewide Elections During The Pandemic. Here’s What We Learned From Them.|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|October 1, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Between about –113° C and –38° C, the liquid crystallizes extremely rapidly, even if it’s entirely pure.
A stop-motion experiment reveals supercooled water’s dual nature|Emily Conover|September 28, 2020|Science News
The relative amounts of these elemental forms indicate the chemical makeup of the magma in which the diamonds crystallized.
Earth’s rarest diamonds form from primordial carbon in the mantle|Carolyn Gramling|September 14, 2020|Science News
Of course, our childhood dreams don’t always crystallize into reality.
Why regret hurts so much—and why it’s good for us|Sarah Todd|September 6, 2020|Quartz

Atom by atom, molecule by molecule of the virus has been studied and crystallized to the nth degree.
We Don’t Have to Despair - Issue 88: Love & Sex|Robert Bazell|August 12, 2020|Nautilus
Midterm races generally crystallize in mid-summer, and the House is expected to stay firmly in GOP hands.
The Looming Political Game Changers|Eleanor Clift|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For years, I wondered who had signed up for all of the slots, and eventually a character started to crystallize in my imagination.
Real Thrills And High Art In A Poignant Page-Turner Of A Novel|Susan Cheever|May 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But with anger about cuts starting to crystallize, that might change.
The Left's Stealth Budget Plan|David A. Graham|April 27, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Things crystallize for you now, as Neptune leaving Aquarius means murky material matters are becoming a thing of the past.
Horoscopes: The Week of April 3|Starsky + Cox|April 3, 2011|DAILY BEAST
And principles will not crystallize without debate—and certainly not by Monday.
Obama's Phony Bank Debate|Tunku Varadarajan|April 22, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Michael had always been inclined to crystallize in one strong figure of imagination his vague impressions.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
Before the lead begins to crystallize, the upper pot is charged with lead of half the richness of that in the lower pot.
Scientific American Supplement No. 299|Various
And all the substances which this acid unites with crystallize, and do not deliquesce.
Heads of Lectures on a Course of Experimental Philosophy: Particularly Including Chemistry|Joseph Priestley
And possibly these agents have been the greatest incentives to help create and crystallize this unrest and migration.
Negro Migration during the War|Emmett J. Scott
I think of you perpetually, but my thoughts are all aqueous; they will not crystallize—they are as fleeting as ripples on the sea.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. I (of 3)|George Eliot

British Dictionary definitions for crystallize

crystallize

crystalize, crystallise or crystalise

/ (ˈkrɪstəˌlaɪz) /

verb

to form or cause to form crystals; assume or cause to assume a crystalline form or structure

to coat or become coated with sugarcrystallized fruit

to give a definite form or expression to (an idea, argument, etc) or (of an idea, argument, etc) to assume a recognizable or definite form

Derived forms of crystallize

crystallizable, crystalizable, crystallisable or crystalisable, adjectivecrystallizability, crystalizability, crystallisability or crystalisability, nouncrystallization, crystalization, crystallisation or crystalisation, nouncrystallizer, crystalizer, crystalliser or crystaliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

crystallize

Origin of crystallize

OTHER WORDS FROM crystallize

Words nearby crystallize

Words related to crystallize

How to use crystallize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for crystallize

crystalize, crystallise or crystalise

Derived forms of crystallize