crystalline
/ˈkrɪs.tə.laɪn/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Clear, bright, and shining like crystal. It can also mean very pure, precise, or easy to understand.
- The lake had a crystalline blue color.
- Her explanation was crystalline and easy to follow.
- We saw crystalline ice on the window.
Adinary Nuance
Crystalline is stronger and more visual than clear or transparent. It often suggests something looks almost glass-like, sharp, or pure. Writers may choose it for beauty, precision, or a polished appearance, not just simple clarity.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- trong như pha lê
- Spanish
- cristalino
- Chinese
- 晶莹的
- Japanese
- 結晶の
- Korean
- 결정의
Etymology
Crystalline comes from Late Latin crystallinus, from Greek krystallos, meaning "ice" or "crystal." It entered English in the Middle English period.
Common phrases
crystalline watercrystalline structurecrystalline clarity
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is crystalline the same as clear?
- Not exactly. Crystalline usually adds a sense of shine, purity, or sharp beauty.
- Can I use crystalline in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in science, literature, and formal descriptions.
- Does crystalline only describe glass or crystals?
- No. It can also describe speech, ideas, water, or light.