crystallize

/ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkri-stə-ˌlīz/ (ame, mw)

crystallize — verb

  • crystallizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • crystallizeshe / she / it
  • crystallizedpast simple
  • crystallizing-ing form

1. to form small, regular solid pieces inside a liquid or soft mixture, or to make

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to form small, regular solid pieces inside a liquid or soft mixture, or to make this happen to a substance.

例句

The syrup began to crystallize around the spoon as it cooled after dinner.

intransitive: substance crystallizes on its own

Mizuki left the honey jar by the window, and the sugar soon crystallized.

同義詞
  • solidify

    broader; means become solid, not specifically form crystals

  • set

    common for jelly, glue, or cement reaching a firm state

  • freeze

    used mainly when cold turns water or another liquid into ice

反義詞
  • melt

    to change from solid to liquid through heat

  • dissolve

    to mix into a liquid instead of separating into crystals

文法句型

substance crystallizes

crystallize + object

crystallize around/in + place

用法筆記

Used for substances such as sugar, honey, salt solutions, or molten materials. The intransitive use describes the material changing by itself, while the transitive use names a force or action that causes the change.

常見錯誤

❌The rain on the windshield crystallized overnight.
✅The rain on the windshield froze overnight.
💡use 'freeze' for ordinary water turning to ice; 'crystallize' is more common for sugar, salts, or chemical mixtures forming crystals.

2. to bring a thought, opinion, or plan into a clear, settled form, or for it to re

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to bring a thought, opinion, or plan into a clear, settled form, or for it to reach that form by itself.

例句

The long meeting helped crystallize the team's plan for the autumn launch.

crystallize + plan

After reading the hospital report, Ada crystallized her opinion about the new safety rules.

crystallize + opinion

同義詞
  • clarify

    focuses on removing confusion, without the idea of becoming fixed

  • define

    suggests giving something a sharper shape or limit

  • solidify

    emphasizes making something firmer or more secure, often in relationships or positions

反義詞
  • confuse

    to make an idea or situation harder to understand

  • blur

    to make the limits or meaning less clear

文法句型

crystallize + thought/opinion/plan

crystallize into + noun

thoughts crystallize

用法筆記

Common with abstract nouns such as plan, view, opinion, anger, or wish. It often suggests that many earlier thoughts or events finally come together into one clear position.

常見錯誤

❌The photo crystallized on the screen.
✅The photo became clear on the screen.
💡this figurative sense is for thoughts, views, plans, or feelings becoming clear, not for pictures or physical objects.