crystallize

[ kris-tl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, crys·tal·lized, crys·tal·liz·ing.

1. to form into crystals; cause to assume crystalline form.
2. to give definite or concrete form to:

   to crystallize an idea.

3. to coat with sugar.

verb (used without object)

, crys·tal·lized, crys·tal·liz·ing.

1. to form crystals; become crystalline in form.
2. to assume definite or concrete form.

crystallize

/ ˈkrɪstəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to form or cause to form crystals; assume or cause to assume a crystalline form or structure
2. to coat or become coated with sugar

   crystallized fruit

3. 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

• ˈcrystalˌlizer, noun
• ˈcrystalˌlizable, adjective
• ˌcrystalˌlizaˈbility, noun
• ˌcrystalliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• crystal·liza·bili·ty noun
• crystal·liza·ble adjective
• crystal·lizer noun
• non·crystal·liza·ble adjective
• non·crystal·lized adjective
• non·crystal·lizing adjective
• un·crystal·liza·ble adjective
• un·crystal·lized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crystallize¹

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

Example Sentences

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would prompt a national, predominantly mail election — an idea crystallized during the spring and early summer — is outdated.

From FiveThirtyEight

Between about –113° C and –38° C, the liquid crystallizes extremely rapidly, even if it’s entirely pure.

From Science News

The relative amounts of these elemental forms indicate the chemical makeup of the magma in which the diamonds crystallized.

From Science News

Of course, our childhood dreams don’t always crystallize into reality.

From Quartz

Atom by atom, molecule by molecule of the virus has been studied and crystallized to the nth degree.

From Nautilus

Midterm races generally crystallize in mid-summer, and the House is expected to stay firmly in GOP hands.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

But with anger about cuts starting to crystallize, that might change.

From The Daily Beast

Things crystallize for you now, as Neptune leaving Aquarius means murky material matters are becoming a thing of the past.

From The Daily Beast

And principles will not crystallize without debate—and certainly not by Monday.

From The Daily Beast

Michael had always been inclined to crystallize in one strong figure of imagination his vague impressions.

From Project Gutenberg

Before the lead begins to crystallize, the upper pot is charged with lead of half the richness of that in the lower pot.

From Project Gutenberg

And all the substances which this acid unites with crystallize, and do not deliquesce.

From Project Gutenberg

And possibly these agents have been the greatest incentives to help create and crystallize this unrest and migration.

From Project Gutenberg

I think of you perpetually, but my thoughts are all aqueous; they will not crystallize—they are as fleeting as ripples on the sea.

From Project Gutenberg