crystal
gb/kɹˈɪstəl/ us/kɹˈɪstəl/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Transparent mineral with regular structure
A hard, clear stone or mineral that has a regular shape inside.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a crystal
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'crystal' with 'glass'. Glass is not crystalline; it has no regular internal structure.
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.)
Collocations
crystal structure
|crystal formation
|quartz crystal
|liquid crystal
|crystal lattice
Themes
science
|nature
|materials
Examples
- The geologist examined a large quartz crystal.
- Snowflakes are tiny ice crystals formed in the atmosphere.
- This watch contains a crystal that regulates its timekeeping.
Learner examples
- I found a crystal on the beach.
- Salt is made of small crystals.
- The crystal is clear and shiny.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Fine clear glass tableware or ornaments
A kind of clear glass used to make nice cups, bowls, or decorations.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'crystal' always means a natural mineral. In this sense it refers to man-made fine glass.
Synonyms
glassware (General term for objects made of glass; not necessarily high-quality or decorative.)
Antonyms
plasticware (Tableware made from plastic instead of glass.)
Collocations
crystal vase
|cut crystal
|crystal glassware
Themes
home
|materials
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The couple received a set of crystal wine glasses as a wedding gift.
- She displayed the crystal vase on the dining table.
- The chandelier sparkled with dozens of hanging crystals.
Learner examples
- My grandmother has a crystal bowl.
- We drink wine from crystal glasses.
- The crystal vase is very beautiful.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
Methamphetamine in crystalline form
An illegal drug called methamphetamine that looks like small crystals.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'crystal' can mean an illegal drug in slang; context is essential.
Synonyms
meth (Common slang abbreviation for methamphetamine; same substance as 'crystal' in this context.)
Collocations
smoke crystal
|buy crystal
Themes
crime
|health
|law
Examples
- The police seized several grams of crystal during the raid.
- He was arrested for selling crystal to undercover officers.
- Crystal abuse can lead to severe health problems.
Learner examples
- The police found crystal in his car.
- Crystal is a dangerous drug.
- She was arrested for selling crystal.
adjective
B2
property
4
Perfectly clear or easy to understand
Very clear to see through or very easy to understand.
Usage pattern:
[something] is crystal [clear]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'crystal' alone without 'clear'; as an adjective it almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'crystal clear'.
Synonyms
transparent (Focuses more on the physical property of letting light pass through.)
Antonyms
unclear (Not easy to see or understand.)
Collocations
crystal clear water
|crystal clear instructions
Themes
communication
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The lake water was crystal clear.
- Her explanation was crystal clear and left no doubts.
- Through the window, the view was crystal clear.
Learner examples
- The water is crystal clear.
- His words are crystal clear.
- The air was crystal clear.
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.