crisscross: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal, especially descriptive.
Quick answer
What does “crisscross” mean?
a pattern of lines that cross each other repeatedly, often at right angles, forming squares or diamonds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a pattern of lines that cross each other repeatedly, often at right angles, forming squares or diamonds.
To move back and forth repeatedly in different directions, or to cover a surface with intersecting lines or paths.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “crisscross” in a Sentence
[sb/sth] crisscrosses [sth] (e.g., Trails crisscross the park.)[sth] is crisscrossed with [sth] (e.g., The map was crisscrossed with red lines.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crisscross” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Narrow footpaths crisscross the moor.
- He crisscrossed the city searching for the rare book.
American English
- Railroad tracks crisscross the Midwest.
- The candidate plans to crisscross the state campaigning.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, might appear in logistics ('delivery routes crisscross the region') or in design/marketing ('a crisscross logo').
Academic
Used in geography, urban planning, and biology to describe patterns of movement, paths, or physical structures like veins.
Everyday
Common for describing fabric patterns, walking routes, or lines drawn on paper.
Technical
Used in cartography, weaving, circuit board design, and graph theory.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crisscross”
- Misspelling as 'cris-cross' or 'criscross'. Using it as a simple synonym for 'cross' (once). Overusing in formal writing where 'intersecting' or a 'grid' might be more precise.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard modern spelling is as one solid word: 'crisscross'. The hyphenated form 'criss-cross' is dated but may be seen in older texts.
No. 'Crisscross' implies multiple crossings in different directions. For a single intersection, use 'cross' or 'intersect'.
It originates from 'Christ's cross', referring to the mark of a cross, which was often written at the head of alphabet tables in hornbooks. Over time, it was reduced and altered to 'crisscross'.
Yes, but it's a US-specific, informal phrase used primarily by teachers and parents to instruct young children to sit cross-legged on the floor. It is not a standard metaphorical idiom.
a pattern of lines that cross each other repeatedly, often at right angles, forming squares or diamonds.
Crisscross is usually neutral to formal, especially descriptive. in register.
Crisscross: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪs.krɒs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪs.krɔːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “crisscross applesauce (US, informal for sitting cross-legged)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound: 'Criss' sounds like a quick crossing sound, and 'cross' is the action. It repeats the idea of crossing, just as the pattern repeats.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERSECTION IS A CROSSING POINT; COMPLEXITY IS A TANGLE OF LINES.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'crisscross' as an adverb?