English Reference

Word

crystallized

Phoneticscrys·tal·lized

/ˈkɹɪstəˌɫaɪzd/

UK spelling · crystallised

Definition

v. to turn into a solid with a clear, regular shape. It can also mean that an idea or feeling has become clear and fixed in your mind.

v. to form or become a solid in the form of crystals; to become clearly defined or fixed in the mind. Often used metaphorically to describe the solidification of abstract concepts.

Examples

“The sugar in the tea began to crystallized as it cooled.”

“After hours of discussion, the team's ideas finally crystallized into a clear plan for the new project.”

“The poet's early, vague impressions of the landscape eventually crystallized into a series of vivid, structured sonnets that captured the essence of the region.”

Examples

simple

“The sugar in the tea began to crystallized as it cooled.”

contextual

“After hours of discussion, the team's ideas finally crystallized into a clear plan for the new project.”

complex

“The poet's early, vague impressions of the landscape eventually crystallized into a series of vivid, structured sonnets that captured the essence of the region.”

Real-World Examples

“The team crystallized the enzyme and studied it at the Institut de Biologie Structurale in Grenoble, France.”
ScienceDaily · 19 Sept 2026
“Biological factors are mechanisms that may be involved in the development of a disease but have not yet crystallized into something that can be quantifiably measured in the lab.”
The Conversation · 26 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/crystallized

English Reference