crystal-clear

American  

[kris-tl-kleer] / ˈkrɪs tlˈklɪər /

adjective

1. absolutely clear; transparent; lucid.

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Usage

What does crystal-clear mean? Crystal-clear literally means completely clear—often meaning you can see right through it.Crystal is a type of mineral or glass that’s clear—it resembles ice. When crystal-clear is used in this way, it often describes things like perfectly clear water.But it can also describe things that have perfect clarity—a TV might be said to have a crystal-clear picture, for example. Even things that aren’t visual might be said to be crystal-clear in this way, as in These headphones provide crystal-clear sound.Crystal-clear can also be used figuratively to mean extremely easy to understand—meaning there’s nothing at all confusing about it. This sense of the word is often used to describe things like instructions or a piece of writing.Crystal-clear can be used with or without a hyphen. It’s often used with a hyphen when it comes before the thing it describes, as in crystal-clear glass, and without a hyphen when it follows the thing it describes, as in the glass was crystal clear. The phrase clear as crystal means the same thing as both senses of crystal-clear. A close synonym for both senses of the word is transparent.Example: These crystal-clear cleaning instructions will give you crystal-clear windows in no time!

Etymology

Origin of crystal-clear

First recorded in 1510–20

Example Sentences

I waded into the crystal-clear water, and felt a strong current pull me.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 25, 2025

But he still speaks in the crystal-clear, melodious Arabic of one who studied literature, and recited the Quran daily as the imam of a local mosque.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

But over the decades, chronic contamination from mining, development and agricultural runoff turned the once crystal-clear waters of Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon into a graveyard.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024

In the crystal-clear waters of Kaneohe Bay, a U.S.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2023

One day, tired and hot from the chase, she came upon a crystal-clear river deeply shaded by silvery willows.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton