crossverb and noun uses
(krɒs 
, US krɔːs )
, US krɔːs )Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense crosses, present participle crossing, past tense, past participle crossed
1. VERB 
If you cross something such as a room, a road, or an area of land or water, you move or travel to the other side of it. If you cross to a place, you move or travel over a room, road, or area of land or water in order to reach that place.
She was partly to blame for failing to look as she crossed the road. [VERB noun]
They have crossed the border into Greece and asked for political asylum. [VERB noun]
In 1838 the first iron sailing vessel crossed the Atlantic. [VERB noun]
Egan crossed to the drinks cabinet and poured a Scotch. [VERB + to]
Synonyms: go across, pass over, traverse, cut across More Synonyms of cross
2. VERB 
A road, railway, or bridge that crosses an area of land or water passes over it.
The Defford to Eckington road crosses the river half a mile outside Eckington. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: span, bridge, ford, go across More Synonyms of cross
3. VERB
Lines or roads that cross meet and go across each other.
…the intersection where Main and Center Streets cross. [VERB]
It is near where the pilgrimage route crosses the road to Quimper. [VERB noun]
4. VERB
If someone or something crosses a limit or boundary, for example the limit of acceptable behaviour, they go beyond it.
I normally never write into magazines but Mr Stubbs has finally crossed the line. [VERB noun]
Candidates must get 5 per cent of the vote to continue. Many will fail to cross that threshold. [VERB noun]
5. VERB
If an expression crosses someone’s face, it appears briefly on their face.
[written]
Berg tilts his head and a mischievous look crosses his face. [VERB noun]
A faint smile crossed his lips. [VERB noun]
6. COUNTABLE NOUN
A cross is a shape that consists of a vertical line or piece with a shorter horizontal line or piece across it. It is the most important Christian symbol.
Round her neck was a cross on a silver chain.
He solemnly made the sign of the cross.
Christ died on the cross.
Synonyms: crucifix, rood More Synonyms of cross
7. VERB
If Christians cross themselves, they make the sign of a cross by moving their hand across the top half of their body.
‘Holy Mother of God!’ Marco crossed himself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
8. COUNTABLE NOUN
If you describe something as a cross that someone has to bear, you mean it is a problem or disadvantage which they have to deal with or bear.
Two young men perishing in such circumstances is a hard cross to bear for each family.
Synonyms: trouble, worry, trial, load More Synonyms of cross
9. COUNTABLE NOUN 
A cross is a written mark in the shape of an X. You can use it, for example, to indicate that an answer to a question is wrong, to mark the position of something on a map, or to indicate your vote on a ballot paper.
Put a tick next to those activities you like and a cross next to those you dislike.
10. VERB 
If you cross your arms, legs, or fingers, you put one of them on top of the other.
Jill crossed her legs and rested her chin on one fist, as if lost in deep thought. [VERB noun]
Pop crossed his arms over his chest and watched us. [VERB noun]
He was sitting there in the living room with his legs crossed. [VERB-ed]
11. VERB
If you cross someone who is likely to get angry, you oppose them or refuse to do what they want.
If you ever cross him, forget it, you’re finished. [VERB noun]
12. SINGULAR NOUN
Something that is a cross between two things is neither one thing nor the other, but a mixture of both.
‘Ha!’ It was a cross between a laugh and a bark.
It was a lovely dog. It was a cross between a collie and a golden retriever. [+ between]
Synonyms: mixture, combination, blend, amalgam More Synonyms of cross
13. COUNTABLE NOUN
In some team sports such as football and hockey, a cross is the passing of the ball from the side of the field to a player in the centre, usually in front of the goal.
He hit an accurate cross to Groves.
14. ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
A cross street is a road that crosses another more important road.
[US]
The Army boys had personnel carriers blockading the cross streets.
15. See also crossing
17. cross my heart
21. to cross swords
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
crossadjective use
(krɒs , US krɔːs )
, US krɔːs )Word forms: comparative crosser, superlative crossest
ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
Someone who is cross is rather angry or irritated.
The women are cross and bored.
I’m terribly cross with him. [+ with]
She was rather cross about having to trail across London. [+ about]
crossly ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
‘No, no, no,’ Morris said crossly.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
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crossin British English
(krɒs )
)NOUN
1.
a structure or symbol consisting essentially of two intersecting lines or pieces at right angles to one another
2.
a wooden structure used as a means of execution, consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece to which people were nailed or tied
3.
a representation of the Cross used as an emblem of Christianity or as a reminder of Christ’s death
4.
any mark or shape consisting of two intersecting lines, esp such a symbol (×) used as a signature, point of intersection, error mark, etc
5.
6.
7. heraldry
any of several charges in which one line crosses or joins another at right angles
8.
a cruciform emblem awarded to indicate membership of an order or as a decoration for distinguished service
9. (sometimes capital)
Christianity or Christendom, esp as contrasted with non-Christian religions
Cross and Crescent
10.
the place in a town or village where a cross has been set up
11.
a pipe fitting, in the form of a cross, for connecting four pipes
12. biology
a.
the process of crossing; hybridization
b.
an individual produced as a result of this process
13.
a mixture of two qualities or types
he’s a cross between a dictator and a saint
14.
an opposition, hindrance, or misfortune; affliction (esp in the phrase bear one’s cross)
17. boxing
a straight punch delivered from the side, esp with the right hand
18. football
the act or an instance of kicking or passing the ball from a wing to the middle of the field
19. See on the cross
VERB
20. (sometimes foll by over)
to move or go across (something); traverse or intersect
we crossed the road
21.
a.
to meet and pass
the two trains crossed
b.
(of each of two letters in the post) to be dispatched before receipt of the other
23. (transitive)
to place or put in a form resembling a cross
to cross one’s legs
24. (transitive)
to mark with a cross or crosses
25. (transitive) British
26. (transitive)
a.
b.
to make the sign of the Cross upon (oneself)
27. (intransitive)
28.
to cause fertilization between (plants or animals of different breeds, races, varieties, etc)
30. football
to kick or pass (the ball) from a wing to the middle of the field
31. (transitive) nautical
to set (the yard of a square sail) athwartships
33. See cross one’s fingers
34. See cross one’s heart
35. See cross one’s mind
36. See cross someone’s palm
37. See cross someone’s path
38. See cross swords
ADJECTIVE
40.
lying or placed across; transverse
a cross timber
41.
involving interchange; reciprocal
42.
43. another word for crossbred (sense 1)
44. a Brit slang word for dishonest
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
crosser (ˈcrosser)
NOUN
crossly (ˈcrossly)
ADVERB
crossness (ˈcrossness)
NOUN
Word origin
Old English cros, from Old Irish cross (unattested), from Latin crux; see crux
Crossin British English
(krɒs )
)NOUN
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Crossin British English
(krɒs )
)cross-in British English
COMBINING FORM
1.
indicating action from one individual, group, etc, to another
cross-cultural
cross-fertilize
cross-refer
2.
indicating movement, position, etc, across something (sometimes implying interference, opposition, or contrary action)
crosscurrent
crosstalk
3.
indicating a crosslike figure or intersection
crossbones
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
from cross (in various senses)
crossin American English
(krɔs; krɑs)
NOUN
1.
2.
a representation or figure of a cross, used as a badge, decoration, etc.; also, such a badge, decoration, etc.
the Distinguished Service Cross
3.
4.
a staff with a cross at the top, carried before an archbishop as a sign of his authority
5.
a.
a representation of a cross, in any of various recognized forms, as a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus, hence of the Christian religion
b.
a crucifix
6.
a.
the act of crossing, as from one side of a stage to the other
b.
the act of crossing oneself
7.
any trouble or affliction that one has to bear; also, anything that thwarts or frustrates
8.
any design, mark, or object made by two lines or surfaces that intersect one another
9.
such a mark ( X) made as a signature, as by a person who cannot write
10.
a.
a crossing, or mixing, of varieties or breeds; hybridization
b.
the result of such mixing; hybrid
11.
something that combines the qualities of two different things or types
12. Slang
a dishonest action, fixed contest or match, etc.
13. Boxing
a blow delivered over and across the opponent’s lead
14. [C-]
Northern Cross
15. [C-]
Southern Cross
VERB TRANSITIVE
16.
to make the sign of the cross over or upon
18.
to lie or cut across; intersect
where two streets cross one another
19.
to draw or put a line or lines across
cross your t’s
20.
to pass over; go from one side to the other of; go across
to cross the ocean
21.
to carry or lead across
22.
to extend or reach across
the bridge crosses a river
23.
to meet and pass (each other)
24.
to bring into contact, causing electrical interference
the wires were crossed
25.
to go counter to; thwart; oppose
26.
to interbreed (animals or plants); breed (an individual of one type) with one of another; hybridize; cross-fertilize
VERB INTRANSITIVE
27.
to lie across; intersect
28.
to go or extend from one side to the other
often with over
29.
to pass each other while moving in opposite directions
30.
to interbreed; hybridize; cross-fertilize
ADJECTIVE
31.
lying or passing across or through; transverse; crossing or crossed
cross street, cross ventilation
32.
going counter; contrary; opposed
at cross purposes
33.
irritated or irritable; ill-tempered
34.
involving reciprocal actions, etc.
35.
of mixed variety or breed; hybrid; crossbred
36. Archaic
causing harm; unfavorable
ADVERB
37.
crosswise
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈirritable
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
crossable (ˈcrossable)
ADJECTIVE
crossly (ˈcrossly)
ADVERB
crossness (ˈcrossness)
NOUN
Word origin
< ME cros & crois; cros < OE cros & ON kross, both < OIr cros < L crux (gen. crucis), a cross < IE *kreuk-, extension of base *(s)ker-, to turn, bend > L curvus; ME crois < OFr < L crux
cross-in American English
(krɔs; krɑs)
cross (in various senses) or across
crossbow, crossbreed, crosswise
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
crossin American English
(krɔs, krɑs) (adjective -er, -est)
NOUN
1.
a structure consisting essentially of an upright and a transverse piece, upon which persons were formerly put to death
2.
any object, figure, or mark resembling a cross, as two intersecting lines
3.
a mark resembling a cross, usually an X, made instead of a signature by a person unable to write
4. See the Cross
5.
a figure of the Cross as a Christian emblem, badge, etc.
6.
the Cross as the symbol of Christianity
7.
a small cross with a human figure attached to it, as a representation of Jesus crucified; crucifix
8.
a sign made with the right hand by tracing the figure of a cross in the air or by touching the foreheard, chest, and shoulders, as an act of devotion
9.
a structure or monument in the form of a cross, set up for prayer, as a memorial, etc.
10.
any of various conventional representations or modifications of the Christian emblem used symbolically or for ornament, as in heraldry or art
a Latin cross
a Maltese cross
11.
the crucifixion of Jesus as the culmination of His redemptive mission
13.
the teaching of redemption gained by Jesus’ death
14.
the Christian religion, or those who accept it; Christianity; Christendom
15.
an opposition; thwarting; frustration
16.
any misfortune; trouble
17.
a crossing of animals or plants; a mixing of breeds
18.
an animal, plant, breed, etc., produced by crossing; crossbreed
19.
a person or thing that is intermediate in character between two others
20. Boxing
a punch thrown across and over the lead of an opponent
21. slang
a contest the result of which is dishonestly arranged beforehand
22.
a crossing
23.
a place of crossing
24. Plumbing
a four-way joint or connection
25. Theater
an actor’s movement from one area of a stage to another
26. Also called: cross-trade Stock Exchange
an arrangement for the simultaneous sale and purchase of a block of stock handled by a single broker
27. Machinery spider (sense 6b)
28. (cap) Astronomy See Southern Cross
29. See bear one’s cross
30. See take the cross
TRANSITIVE VERB
31.
to move, pass, or extend from one side to the other side of (a street, river, etc.)
32.
to put or draw (a line, lines, etc.) across
33. (often fol. by off or out)
to cancel by marking with a cross or with a line or lines
34.
to mark with a cross
35.
to lie or pass across; intersect
36.
to meet and pass
37.
to transport across something
38.
to assist or guide (a person) across a street or intersection
The guard crossed the child at the traffic light
39.
to place in the form of a cross or crosswise
40. Biology
to cause (members of different genera, species, breeds, varieties, or the like) to interbreed
41.
to oppose openly; thwart; frustrate
42. slang
to betray; double-cross
43.
to make the sign of a cross upon or over, as in devotion
to cross oneself
44. Nautical
to set (a yard) in proper position on a mast
INTRANSITIVE VERB
46.
to lie or be athwart; intersect
47.
to move, pass, or extend from one side or place to another
Cross at the intersection
48.
to meet and pass
49.
to interbreed
50. Theater
to move from one side of the stage to the other, esp. by passing downstage of another actor
51. See cross one’s heart
52. See cross one’s mind
53. See cross one’s path
54. See cross over
55. See cross someone’s palm with silver
56. See cross up
ADJECTIVE
58.
lying or passing crosswise or across each other; athwart; transverse
cross timbers
59.
involving a reciprocal action, interchange, or the like
a cross-endorsement of political candidates
cross-marketing of related services
60.
contrary; opposite
They were at cross purposes with each other
61.
adverse; unfavorable
62.
crossbred; hybrid
SYNONYMS31, 35. traverse, span, bridge. 41. baffle, foil, contradict. 57. petulant, fractious, irascible, waspish, crabbed, churlish, sulky, cantankerous, cranky, ill-tempered, impatient, irritable, fretful, touchy, testy. cross, ill-natured, peevish, sullen refer to being in a bad mood or ill temper. cross means temporarily in an irritable or fretful state, and somewhat angry: a cross reply. ill-natured implies a more permanent condition, without definite cause, and means unpleasant, unkind, inclined to snarl or be spiteful: an ill-natured dog; ill-natured spite. peevish means complaining and snappish: a peevish child. sullen suggests a kind of glowering silent gloominess and means refusing to speak because of bad humor, anger, or a sense of injury or resentment: sullen and vindictive.ANTONYMS41. aid. 57. good-natured, agreeable.
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
crossable
ADJECTIVE
crossability
NOUN
Word origin
[bef. 1000; ME, late OE cros ‹ ON kross ‹ OIr cros (‹ British Celtic) ‹ L crux; see crux]
cross-in American English
COMBINING FORM
a combining form of cross
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Examples of ‘cross’ in a sentence
cross
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He retreats and smothers before the ball crosses the line but that was mildly worrying.
Cancelo crosses deep from the right.
This clearly in my view crosses the custody threshold.
Still pretty wet and rain is forecast but it has been dry for a while so fingers crossed.
You ‘ll not see as good a cross all year.
That means you have space out wide and are able to get in more crosses.
This suggests we have crossed a boundary.
They chose a red cross on white field for their banner and symbol.
The trust has been attacked by animal rights groups for allowing legal hunts to cross its land.
From a standing position bend your left knee and cross your right leg around your left leg, hooking your right foot on your left leg.
cross
Quick Word Challenge
Question: 1
– Score: 0 / 5
Which heraldic term am I?
a charge on a shield consisting of a mascle crossed by a saltire
Which heraldic term am I?
a mythical beast with the body of an antelope or goat and swivelling horns
Which heraldic term am I?
a narrow inner border on a shield, usually decorated with fleurs-de-lys
Which heraldic term am I?
a figure or beast in a coat of arms depicted as holding up the shield
Your score:
COBUILD Collocations
cross
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cross
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In other languages
cross
British English: cross /krɒs/ adjective
If you are cross, you feel angry about something.
Mum was cross because we were late.
- American English: cross /ˈkrɔs/
- Arabic: غَضْبَان
- Brazilian Portuguese: bravo
- Chinese: 生气的
- Croatian: ljutit
- Czech: naštvaný
- Danish: vred
- Dutch: boos
- European Spanish: enfadado
- Finnish: kiukkuinen
- French: fâché
- German: verärgert
- Greek: οργισμένος
- Italian: imbronciato
- Japanese: 不機嫌な
- Korean: 화가 난
- Norwegian: tverr
- Polish: rozgniewany
- European Portuguese: zangado
- Romanian: furios
- Russian: переживать
- Latin American Spanish: enfadado
- Swedish: arg
- Thai: ซึ่งโกรธฉุนเฉียว
- Turkish: öfkeli
- Ukrainian: сердитий
- Vietnamese: cáu
British English: cross /krɒs/ noun
A cross is a mark that you write. It looks like X or +.
She put a cross beside my name.
- American English: cross /ˈkrɔs/
- Arabic: صَلِيب
- Brazilian Portuguese: cruz
- Chinese: 十字架
- Croatian: križ
- Czech: kříž
- Danish: kryds
- Dutch: kruis
- European Spanish: cruz
- Finnish: risti
- French: croix
- German: Kreuz
- Greek: σταυρός
- Italian: croce
- Japanese: 十字形
- Korean: 십자가
- Norwegian: kors
- Polish: krzyż
- European Portuguese: cruz
- Romanian: cruce
- Russian: плюс
- Latin American Spanish: cruz
- Swedish: kors
- Thai: เครื่องหมายกากบาท
- Turkish: çapraz
- Ukrainian: хрест
- Vietnamese: chữ thập
British English: cross /krɒs/ verb
If you cross something, you go from one side of it to the other.
Cross the road where it is safe.
- American English: cross /ˈkrɔs/
- Arabic: يَعْبُرُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: cruzar
- Chinese: 勾划
- Croatian: prijeći
- Czech: přejít ulici apod.
- Danish: krydse
- Dutch: oversteken
- European Spanish: cruzar
- Finnish: ylittää
- French: traverser
- German: überqueren
- Greek: διασχίζω
- Italian: attraversare
- Japanese: 横切る
- Korean: (…을) 교차시키다
- Norwegian: krysse
- Polish: przekroczyć
- European Portuguese: atravessar
- Romanian: a traversa
- Russian: пересекать
- Latin American Spanish: cruzar
- Swedish: korsa
- Thai: ข้าม
- Turkish: karşıdan karşıya geçmek
- Ukrainian: перетинати
- Vietnamese: đi qua
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Definition of cross from the Collins English Dictionary
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