Crossed

/krɒst/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
5 meanings4 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

5 meanings
1

To go or extend from one side to the other of something.

/krɒst/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To move or extend across something.

The river was too wide to cross.

💡 Simply: Think of walking from one side of the street to the other! When you do that, you've *crossed* the street. It's like moving from one point to another, through or over something.

👶 For kids: To go from one side to the other side, like crossing a street!

More Examples

2

She crossed the road carefully.

3

The ship crossed the ocean in a week.

How It's Used

Transportation

"The cars crossed the bridge."

Sports

"The runner crossed the finish line."

2

To intersect or meet, usually at right angles.

/krɒst/

verbneutralmedium
General

To intersect or be situated at right angles to each other.

The paths crossed in the forest.

💡 Simply: Imagine two roads that meet. They *cross* each other! It's like when you draw an 'X' – the lines are crossing.

👶 For kids: To meet or touch, like when two roads make an X!

More Examples

2

The river crossed the valley.

3

The veins crossed on the leaf.

How It's Used

Geometry

"The two lines crossed at a single point."

Architecture

"The beams crossed to form a strong support."

Tip:Think of the letter 'X' – the lines 'cross' each other.
3

To cause to oppose or be at odds.

/krɒst/

verbnegativemedium
General

To cause to be in an opposing or conflicting position.

Their paths never crossed.

💡 Simply: When you're arguing with someone, you might be *crossing* their ideas. It's like your thoughts are bumping into each other.

👶 For kids: To make things not agree with each other, like when you want to play outside but it's raining!

More Examples

2

The opposing arguments crossed at several key points.

3

Her interests crossed with his, leading to tension.

How It's Used

Relationships

"Their opinions often crossed."

Legal

"The lawyer crossed the witness."

Tip:Think of arguments where people are 'crossing' each other's points.
4

To make the sign of the cross, often as a gesture of prayer or protection.

/krɒst/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To make the sign of the cross as a religious gesture.

He crossed himself and prayed for guidance.

💡 Simply: When religious people make the cross with their hand, like this (+), they 'cross' themselves.

👶 For kids: To move your hand like a cross in prayer.

More Examples

2

She crossed herself before entering the church.

3

The pilgrim crossed himself after visiting the holy site.

How It's Used

Religion

"The priest crossed himself before beginning the service."

Religious ceremony

"She crossed herself after seeing the accident."

Tip:Think of making the sign of the cross with your hand.
5

Annoyed or irritated.

/krɒst/

adjectivenegativeBeginner
General

Annoyed or angry.

She felt crossed when she lost the game.

💡 Simply: When you're a little mad, you're *crossed*! Like when you don't get your favorite ice cream.

👶 For kids: To feel a little bit angry or upset!

More Examples

2

He was crossed because his plans were ruined.

3

The child was crossed after being told no dessert.

How It's Used

Everyday Conversation

"She was crossed because her flight was delayed."

Relationships

"He's easily crossed in the mornings."

Tip:Picture someone with their arms 'crossed' in annoyance.

Idioms & expressions

cross someone's path

To meet or encounter someone by chance.

"I hope I don't cross paths with my ex at the party."

cross your heart and hope to die

To make a solemn promise or swear to tell the truth, especially a child's pledge.

"I didn't eat the cookies, cross my heart and hope to die!"

cross swords

To engage in a conflict or argument.

"The two lawyers were expected to cross swords in court."

cross the Rubicon

To make a decision that commits you to a particular course of action and is impossible to reverse.

"By deciding to invest, he has crossed the Rubicon."

From Middle English crossed, past participle of crossen (“to cross”), from Old English *crosian (verb), related to Old Irish cros (cross).

Used since Old English, and shows up in many old texts.

Memory tip

Imagine walking across a busy street – you are 'crossing' it.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"crosian (verb)"

cross the roadcross the streetcross the rivercrossed pathscrossed swordscross your heart

Common misspellings

crosedcrosst

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written