Across
/əˈkrɒs/
Definitions
2 meaningsFrom one side to the other of (a place, area, or object).
/əˈkrɒs/
From one side to the other
He walked across the street.
💡 Simply: Going from one side to the opposite side.
More Examples
The river runs across the valley.
How It's Used
"The bridge goes across the river."
"The painting hung across the wall."
To the opposite side; from one side to another.
/əˈkrɒs/
From one side to the opposite side
He swam across the lake.
💡 Simply: Going to the other side.
More Examples
Spread the butter across the bread.
How It's Used
"She looked across the room."
Idioms & expressions
Come across
To find or meet unexpectedly.
"I came across an old photograph in the attic."
From Old English *on crōs, literally 'on cross'. It evolved from a sense of crossing something, like a river or a road, to its more abstract meanings.
The word 'across' has been used in English literature since at least the 14th century, initially more literally to refer to physical crossing.
Memory tip
Imagine something crossing from one side to another
Word Origin
"on cross"