cross
gb/kɹˈɔs/ us/kɹˈɔs/
A1
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Go from one side to another
To go from one side of something to the other side.
Usage pattern:
to cross [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'cross' with 'pass' when talking about streets; 'pass' usually means to go by something, not over it.
Synonyms
traverse (More formal or technical; often used for landscapes or obstacles.)
Antonyms
stay (Means to remain in one place rather than moving across.)
Collocations
cross the street
|cross the river
|cross the bridge
|cross the road
Themes
movement
|daily life
|travel
|transportation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We crossed the street when the light turned green.
- The hikers crossed the river using a wooden bridge.
- Please look both ways before you cross the road.
- She crossed the field to reach the farmhouse.
Learner examples
- I cross the street to go to school.
- We cross the bridge every day.
- He crosses the park to get home.
- They cross the river in a boat.
Verb
A2
action
2
Put or draw so they intersect
To put one thing over another so they touch in the middle and make an X shape.
Usage pattern:
to cross [things/body parts]
Synonyms
intersect (More formal and geometric; less about intentional placement.)
Antonyms
uncross (Means to return crossed things to a normal position.)
Collocations
cross your arms
|cross your legs
|cross lines
|cross sticks
Themes
body
|writing
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She crossed her legs while sitting.
- Cross the two sticks to make a simple frame.
- He crossed his arms and waited.
- The teacher told us to cross out the wrong answers.
Learner examples
- I cross my arms when I am cold.
- Please cross your legs on the floor.
- Cross the lines on the paper.
- He crosses his fingers for luck.
adjective
B1
state
3
Annoyed or slightly angry
Feeling a little angry or upset.
Synonyms
irritated (Slightly more formal; similar level of anger.)
Antonyms
pleased (Feeling happy rather than annoyed.)
Collocations
feel cross
|get cross
|be cross with
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was cross with him for being late.
- Don’t get cross over something so small.
- He sounded cross when he answered the phone.
Learner examples
- I am cross with my brother.
- She is cross because I took her pen.
- He is cross when he is tired.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Intersecting lines or Christian symbol
A shape made of two lines that meet in the middle, like + or ×; also a Christian sign.
Synonyms
X-mark (Refers specifically to an X shape, not religious uses.)
Collocations
draw a cross
|wooden cross
|make the sign of the cross
Themes
symbols
|religion
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The church has a large stone cross outside.
- Put a cross next to the correct answer.
- He wore a gold cross around his neck.
Learner examples
- I see a big cross on the wall.
- Draw a cross on the paper.
- She wears a silver cross.
Verb
B2
action
5
Oppose someone's plans or wishes
To do something that stops what someone wants to happen.
Usage pattern:
to cross [someone]
Synonyms
defy (Stronger and more formal; implies deliberate resistance.)
Antonyms
support (To help or agree with someone's plans instead of opposing them.)
Collocations
cross paths with an enemy
|cross your boss
Themes
conflict
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You don’t want to cross him; he has a bad temper.
- She crossed her parents by refusing their advice.
- Crossing your boss could be dangerous for your career.
Learner examples
- Don’t cross your teacher.
- He crossed his friend by telling the secret.
- She crossed her boss and lost her job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cross
IPA
GB/kɹˈɔs/
US/kɹˈɔs/
Syllables & stress
cross (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cross)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: cross
- Comparative: crosser
- Superlative: crossest
Noun
- Base: cross
- Plural: crosses
Verb
- Base: cross
- 3rd Person Singular: crosses
- Present Participle: crossing
- Past: crossed
Word family
Forms
crosses
noun
crossing
verb
crossed
verb
crosser
adjective
crossest
adjective
Core family
across
preposition/adverb A1
Related words
crosswalk
noun
crossroads
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
uncross
verb
uncrossable
adjective
Advanced or less common
crossable
adjective
crisscross
verb/adjective
Expressions
at cross purposes
1/ˈæt kɹˈɔs pˈɚpəsɪz/
idiom
Working toward conflicting goals causing misunderstanding
When two people do not understand each other because they have different goals or ideas.
Examples
- We were talking at cross purposes and got confused.
- Negotiations failed because both sides were at cross purposes.
cross out
1/kɹˈɔs ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Draw line through text to cancel it
To draw a line through words to show they are wrong or should not be there.
Examples
- Please cross out any mistakes in your essay.
- He crossed out her name from the list.
cross over
1/kɹˈɔs ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Move or change from one side to another
To move from one side to another; also to change from one type or group to another.
Examples
- We crossed over to the other bank of the river.
- The singer crossed over from country music to pop.
cross paths (with someone)
1/kɹˈɔs pˈæθs wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
Meet someone unexpectedly while going somewhere
To meet someone by chance when you are going somewhere.
Examples
- I crossed paths with an old friend at the airport.
- We never crossed paths again after college.
cross your fingers
1/kɹˈɔs jˈʊɹ fˈɪŋɡɚz/
idiom
Put fingers together for luck in uncertain event
To put one finger over another as a sign that you hope for good luck or success in something uncertain.
Examples
- Cross your fingers that it doesn’t rain tomorrow!
- I’m crossing my fingers for good news.