Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To cause to form crystals or assume a crystalline structure: To make a substance solidify into a regular, repeating geometric pattern.
   • To make free from confusion or ambiguity; to make clear and definite: To give a vague idea, plan, or thought a precise, understandable, and final form.
   • To coat with sugar crystals: To preserve or decorate food by covering it with a coating of sugar.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To assume a crystalline form; to become crystallized: For a substance to solidify into crystals.
   • To become clear and definite: For thoughts, plans, or ideas to become fully formed and understood.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Transitive):

  • The chemist worked to crystallize the solution into pure salt crystals.
  • The meeting helped crystallize the company's strategy for the next decade.
  • They crystallize ginger by boiling it in sugar syrup.

• Verb (Intransitive):

  • As the solution cooled, it began to crystallize.
  • After days of brainstorming, my ideas finally began to crystallize.

Advanced Usage

• "Crystallize out": (Phrasal Verb) For a dissolved substance to separate from a solution in the form of crystals.
  • The mineral will crystallize out as the water evaporates.

Variants and Related Words

• Crystallization (n): The process or result of crystallizing.

  • The crystallization of the compound was observed under the microscope.
  • The book describes the crystallization of her political philosophy.

• Crystallized (adj): Having formed crystals; made clear and definite; coated with sugar.

  • crystallized sugar
  • crystallized ideas
  • crystallized fruit

• Crystalline (adj): Having the structure and form of a crystal; clear and transparent.

  • a crystalline structure
  • The water was of a crystalline purity.

Synonyms

• Solidify: To become solid or hard.
• Clarify: To make a statement or situation clear and understandable.
• Form: To take shape or develop.
• Coalesce: To come together to form one mass or whole (often for ideas).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Crystallize out: (See Advanced Usage above).

Related Idioms

• To crystallize in one's mind: For an idea or plan to become perfectly clear and formed.
  • The concept for the novel crystallized in her mind during the long journey.

Verb

1. assume crystalline form; become crystallized
2. cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
   • crystallize minerals
3. make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
   • Could you clarify these remarks?
   • Clear up the question of who is at fault
4. cause to take on a definite and clear shape
   • He tried to crystallize his thoughts