cross

crossverb

To cross is to go from one side of something to the other, or to put or meet something in the shape of an X.

1. go acrossgo from one side of something such as a road, a river, or a room to the other

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Look both ways before you cross the street. V + obj
   • We crossed the river by boat. V + obj
   • They crossed into the next country at night. V + adv/prep
   • She crossed the room and opened the window. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun cross the road, cross the street, cross a bridge, cross the border

   verb + preposition cross over, cross into something

   For translators (sense 1)

   Meaning across languages Many languages use a word meaning pass or go through here. In English you cross a road or a river; you pass a building when you go by it.

2. meetgo across each other, or go across something, at one point

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj]

   • The two roads cross just outside the town.
   • The railroad crosses the highway at this point. V + obj
   • Draw a small circle where the lines cross.

   Collocations

   noun + verb lines cross, roads cross, paths cross

3. arms or legsput one of your arms, legs, or fingers over the other

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She sat down and crossed her legs. V + obj
   • He stood by the door with his arms crossed. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun cross your legs, cross your arms, cross your ankles

4. mixbreed a plant or an animal with a different kind to produce a new kind

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] biology

   • The farmer crossed two kinds of apple tree to get a sweeter fruit. V + obj
   • This dog was crossed with a wolf. V + obj + prep + obj (passive)

   Collocations

   verb + preposition cross something with something

5. opposemake someone angry by acting against what they want

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • I wouldn't cross him if I were you. V + obj
   • Nobody crosses my grandmother and gets away with it. V + obj

   Collocations

   phrase don't cross someone

6. on a faceappear for a short time on someone's face

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] literary

   • A look of surprise crossed his face. V + obj
   • A small smile crossed her face when she read the letter. V + obj

   Collocations

   noun + verb a smile crosses someone's face, a look crosses someone's face

See also cross out; across