crystal
gb/kɹˈɪstəl/ us/kɹˈɪstəl/
B1
Inglese
~ 2800
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Sostantivo
B1
entity
1
Transparent mineral with regular structure
A hard, clear stone or mineral that has a regular shape inside.
Schema d'uso:
[something] is a crystal
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse 'crystal' with 'glass'. Glass is not crystalline; it has no regular internal structure.
Sinonimi
quartz (A specific and common type of crystal, but not all crystals are quartz.)
Contrari
amorphous solid (A solid without a regular internal structure, the opposite of crystalline.)
Collocazioni
crystal structure
|crystal formation
|quartz crystal
|liquid crystal
|crystal lattice
Temi
science
|nature
|materials
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- I found a crystal on the beach.
- Salt is made of small crystals.
- The crystal is clear and shiny.
Sostantivo
B1
entity
2
Fine clear glass tableware or ornaments
A kind of clear glass used to make nice cups, bowls, or decorations.
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes think 'crystal' always means a natural mineral. In this sense it refers to man-made fine glass.
Sinonimi
glassware (General term for objects made of glass; not necessarily high-quality or decorative.)
Contrari
plasticware (Tableware made from plastic instead of glass.)
Collocazioni
crystal vase
|cut crystal
|crystal glassware
Temi
home
|materials
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- My grandmother has a crystal bowl.
- We drink wine from crystal glasses.
- The crystal vase is very beautiful.
Sostantivo
informal
B2
entity
3
Methamphetamine in crystalline form
An illegal drug called methamphetamine that looks like small crystals.
Errore comune:
Learners may not realize 'crystal' can mean an illegal drug in slang; context is essential.
Sinonimi
meth (Common slang abbreviation for methamphetamine; same substance as 'crystal' in this context.)
Collocazioni
smoke crystal
|buy crystal
Temi
crime
|health
|law
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
[something] is crystal [clear]
Errore comune:
Learners may overuse 'crystal' alone without 'clear'; as an adjective it almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'crystal clear'.
Sinonimi
transparent (Focuses more on the physical property of letting light pass through.)
Contrari
unclear (Not easy to see or understand.)
Collocazioni
crystal clear water
|crystal clear instructions
Temi
communication
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- The lake water was crystal clear.
- Her explanation was crystal clear and left no doubts.
- Through the window, the view was crystal clear.
Esempi per chi studia
- The water is crystal clear.
- His words are crystal clear.
- The air was crystal clear.
Grammatica
Forma base
crystal
IPA
GB/kɹˈɪstəl/
US/kɹˈɪstəl/
Sillabe e accento
crys - tal (2 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (crys)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: crystal
- Plural: crystal, crystals
Famiglia di parole
Forms
crystals
noun
Core family
crystalline
adjective
crystallize
verb B2
Advanced or less common
crystallization
noun C1
Espressioni
clear as crystal
1/klˈɪɹ ˈæz kɹˈɪstəl/
fixed phrase
Extremely easy to perceive or understand
Very easy to see or very easy to understand.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.