crystal
gb/kɹˈɪstəl/ us/kɹˈɪstəl/
B1
English
~ 2800
kristály, kristályüveg, ólomkristály, kristálymet, kristálytiszta
NOUN
B1
1
kristály
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is a crystal
The geologist examined a large quartz crystal.
A geológus egy nagy kvarckristályt vizsgált meg.
Snowflakes are tiny ice crystals formed in the atmosphere.
A hópelyhek apró jégkristályok, amelyek a légkörben keletkeznek.
This watch contains a crystal that regulates its timekeeping.
Learner examples
I found a crystal on the beach.
Találtam egy kristályt a tengerparton.
Salt is made of small crystals.
A só apró kristályokból áll.
The crystal is clear and shiny.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'crystal' with 'glass'. Glass is not crystalline; it has no regular internal structure.
Meaning
Transparent mineral with regular structure
Collocations
crystal structure
|crystal formation
|quartz crystal
|liquid crystal
|crystal lattice
Synonyms
quartz (A specific and common type of crystal, but not all crystals are quartz.)
Antonyms
amorphous solid (A solid without a regular internal structure, the opposite of crystalline.)
Themes
science
|nature
|materials
Definition
A hard, clear stone or mineral that has a regular shape inside.
A solid substance with atoms or molecules arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, often transparent or translucent, such as quartz.
NOUN
B1
2
kristályüveg
B2
ólomkristály
C1
The couple received a set of crystal wine glasses as a wedding gift.
Az ifjú pár egy kristályüvegből készült borospohár-készletet kapott nászajándékba.
She displayed the crystal vase on the dining table.
A kristályvázát az étkezőasztalon helyezte el.
The chandelier sparkled with dozens of hanging crystals.
Learner examples
My grandmother has a crystal bowl.
A nagymamámnak van egy kristálytála.
We drink wine from crystal glasses.
Kristálypoharakból isszuk a bort.
The crystal vase is very beautiful.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'crystal' always means a natural mineral. In this sense it refers to man-made fine glass.
Meaning
Fine clear glass tableware or ornaments
Collocations
crystal vase
|cut crystal
|crystal glassware
Synonyms
glassware (General term for objects made of glass; not necessarily high-quality or decorative.)
Antonyms
plasticware (Tableware made from plastic instead of glass.)
Themes
home
|materials
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A kind of clear glass used to make nice cups, bowls, or decorations.
A high-quality, transparent glass with a high lead content used for making glasses, bowls, and decorative items.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
3
kristálymet
C1
kristály
C1
The police seized several grams of crystal during the raid.
A rendőrség több gramm kristálymetet foglalt le a rajtaütés során.
He was arrested for selling crystal to undercover officers.
Letartóztatták, mert kristálymetet árult fedett rendőröknek.
Crystal abuse can lead to severe health problems.
Learner examples
The police found crystal in his car.
A rendőrség kristálymetet talált az autójában.
Crystal is a dangerous drug.
A kristálymet veszélyes drog.
She was arrested for selling crystal.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'crystal' can mean an illegal drug in slang; context is essential.
Meaning
Methamphetamine in crystalline form
Collocations
smoke crystal
|buy crystal
Synonyms
meth (Common slang abbreviation for methamphetamine; same substance as 'crystal' in this context.)
Themes
crime
|health
|law
Definition
An illegal drug called methamphetamine that looks like small crystals.
A street name for methamphetamine, an illegal and addictive stimulant drug, usually found in clear crystal-like chunks.
B2
4
Usage pattern:
[something] is crystal [clear]
The lake water was crystal clear.
A tó vize kristálytiszta volt.
Her explanation was crystal clear and left no doubts.
A magyarázata kristálytiszta volt, és semmilyen kétséget sem hagyott.
Through the window, the view was crystal clear.
Learner examples
The water is crystal clear.
A víz kristálytiszta.
His words are crystal clear.
A szavai kristálytiszták.
The air was crystal clear.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'crystal' alone without 'clear'; as an adjective it almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'crystal clear'.
Meaning
Perfectly clear or easy to understand
Collocations
crystal clear water
|crystal clear instructions
Synonyms
transparent (Focuses more on the physical property of letting light pass through.)
Antonyms
unclear (Not easy to see or understand.)
Themes
communication
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very clear to see through or very easy to understand.
Describes something that is completely transparent or very easy to understand.
Grammar
Dictionary form
crystal
IPA
GB/kɹˈɪstəl/
US/kɹˈɪstəl/
Syllables & stress
crys - tal (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (crys)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: crystal
- Plural: crystal, crystals
Word family
Forms
crystals
noun
Core family
crystalline
adjective
crystallize
verb B2
Advanced or less common
crystallization
noun C1
Expressions
clear as crystal
1/klˈɪɹ ˈæz kɹˈɪstəl/
fixed phrase
Extremely easy to perceive or understand
Very easy to see or very easy to understand.
Examples
- His answer was clear as crystal.
- The mountain air was clear as crystal.
have a crystal ball
1/hˈæv ə kɹˈɪstəl bˈɔl/
idiom
Ability to predict the future
To know what will happen in the future, like magic.
Examples
- I can't have a crystal ball — I don't know what will happen next year.
- She isn't expected to have a crystal ball and predict market changes.
crystal clear
1/kɹˈɪstəl klˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Perfectly transparent or obvious
Very easy to see through or very easy to understand.
Examples
- Her instructions were crystal clear.
- The instructions were crystal clear, so everyone knew what to do.
- The water in the bay was crystal clear.
- On a sunny day, the sea here is crystal clear.