Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense crystallizes, present participle crystallizing, past tense, past participle crystallizedregional note: in BRIT, also use crystallise
1. verb
If you crystallize an opinion or idea, or if it crystallizes, it becomes fixed and definite in someone's mind.
He has managed to crystallise the feelings of millions of ordinary people. [VERB noun]
Now my thoughts really began to crystallise. [VERB]
Synonyms: take shape, form, become clear, come together More Synonyms of crystallize
If a substance crystallizes, or something crystallizes it, it turns into crystals.
Don't stir or the sugar will crystallise. [VERB]
...a 19th-century technique that actually crystallizes the tin. [VERB noun]
crystallizationuncountable noun
...experiments on the crystallisation of glass.
More Synonyms of crystallize
crystallize in British English
or crystalize or crystallise or crystalise (ˈkrɪstəˌlaɪz)
verb
1.
to form or cause to form crystals; assume or cause to assume a crystalline form or structure
2.
to coat or become coated with sugar
crystallized fruit
3.
to give a definite form or expression to (an idea, argument, etc) or (of an idea, argument, etc) to assume a recognizable or definite form
Derived forms
crystallizable (ˈcrystalˌlizable) or crystalizable (ˈcrystalˌizable) or crystallisable (ˈcrystalˌlisable) or crystalisable (ˈcrystalˌisable)
adjective
crystallizability (ˌcrystalˌlizaˈbility) or crystalizability (ˌcrystalˌizaˈbility) or crystallisability (ˌcrystalˌlisaˈbility) or crystalisability (ˌcrystalˌisaˈbility)
noun
crystallization (ˌcrystalliˈzation) or crystalization (ˌcrystaliˈzation) or crystallisation (ˌcrystalliˈsation) or crystalisation (ˌcrystaliˈsation)
noun
crystallizer (ˈcrystalˌlizer) or crystalizer (ˈcrystalˌizer) or crystalliser (ˈcrystalˌliser) or crystaliser (ˈcrystalˌiser)
noun
crystallize in American English
(ˈkrɪstəlˌaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcrystalˌlized or ˈcrystalˌlizing
1.
to cause to form crystals or take on a crystalline structure
2.
to give a definite form to
3.
to coat with sugar
verb intransitive
4.
to become crystalline in form
5.
to take on a definite form
their customs crystallized into law
Derived forms
crystallizable (ˈcrystalˌlizable)
adjective
crystallization (ˌcrystalliˈzation)
noun
Examples of 'crystallize' in a sentence
crystallize
Isn't it a marvel that a mixture of sand and water - and a few other elements - can crystallize into a thing of such beauty?
Holt, Victoria THE BLACK OPAL (2001)
No game of chance had been able to distract him from his thoughts; the hours had served only to crystallize his resolution.
Stephanie Laurens THE PROMISE IN A KISS (2001)
In other languages
crystallize
British English: crystallize VERB
If you crystallize an opinion or idea, or if it crystallizes, it becomes fixed and definite in someone's mind.
He has managed to crystallize the feelings of millions of ordinary citizens.
American English: crystallize
Brazilian Portuguese: cristalizar
Chinese: 具体化
European Spanish: cristalizar
French: cristalliser
German: feste Form geben
Italian: cristallizzarsi
Japanese: 具体化する
Korean: 형상화하다
European Portuguese: cristalizar
Latin American Spanish: cristalizar
1 (verb)
Definition
to make or become definite
Now my thoughts really began to crystallize.
Synonyms
take shape
The plan started to take shape in his mind.
form
Stalactites and stalagmites began to form.
become clear
come together
materialize
None of the anticipated difficulties materialized.
2 (verb)
Definition
to form into crystals
Keep stirring the mixture or the sugar will crystallize.
Synonyms
harden
Mould the mixture into shape before it hardens.
solidify
The thicker lava would have taken two weeks to solidify.
coalesce
form crystals
Additional synonyms
in the sense of form
Definition
to come or bring into existence
Stalactites and stalagmites began to form.
Synonyms
take shape,
grow,
develop,
materialize,
rise,
appear,
settle,
show up (informal),
accumulate,
come into being,
crystallize,
become visible
in the sense of materialize
Definition
to take shape
None of the anticipated difficulties materialized.
Synonyms
occur,
happen,
take place,
turn up,
come about,
take shape,
come into being,
come to pass
in the sense of solidify
Definition
to make or become solid or hard
The thicker lava would have taken two weeks to solidify.