cross
A1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
To move from one side to the other; to intersect; to go across.
To oppose or thwart; to interbreed; to make the sign of the cross; to become annoyed or angry.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has a vast semantic network, extending from the literal act of traversing to metaphorical meanings of opposition, hybridity, and emotional states. Its polysemy is central to English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb 'to cross' is identical. Minor differences exist in compound nouns (e.g., 'pedestrian crossing' vs. 'crosswalk'). The adjective 'cross' (meaning angry) is slightly more common in UK English.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'cross' as an adjective implies mild to moderate anger, less intense than 'furious'. The noun can carry strong Christian religious connotations.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with no significant disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] cross [NP] (transitive)[NP] cross (intransitive)[NP] cross over [NP][NP] cross from [NP] to [NP]cross [NP] off [NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cross that bridge when we come to it”
- “cross your heart (and hope to die)”
- “dot the i's and cross the t's”
- “have a cross to bear”
- “get your wires crossed”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To 'cross-sell' products; for plans or communications to 'cross' departments.
Academic
In genetics, 'to cross' organisms; in textual analysis, 'intertextual cross-reference'.
Everyday
Crossing the street; feeling cross; crossing items off a list.
Technical
In electrical engineering, 'cross-talk'; in heraldry, a 'cross' as a symbol.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Mind you cross at the zebra crossing.
- The idea never crossed my mind.
- Don't cross me on this issue.
American English
- Cross the street at the crosswalk.
- I'll cross that off my list.
- Our letters must have crossed in the mail.
adverb
British English
- He sat cross-legged on the floor.
- She looked at him cross-wise.
American English
- The wires were laid cross-wise to each other.
- Fold the paper cross-ways first.
adjective
British English
- She was rather cross about the delayed train.
- Why is the teacher looking so cross today?
American English
- My dad gets cross when we're late.
- She gave me a cross look for interrupting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look left and right before you cross the road.
- I put a cross in the box.
- The cat sat on the wall.
- Our paths crossed again years later in Paris.
- He was cross because he missed the bus.
- Mark the correct answer with a cross.
- The documentary crosses the boundary between art and journalism.
- The two lines cross at a right angle.
- She has a cross to bear after the accident.
- The novel's narrative crosses multiple temporal planes.
- This policy risks crossing a red line with our international partners.
- The hybrid was created by crossing two distinct species of rose.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a big red X (a cross) marking the spot you need to get to on the other side of a road.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPOSITION IS CROSSING (to cross someone); HYBRIDITY/COMBINATION IS CROSSING (cross-breed); ANGER IS A BURDEN TO BE CARRIED (to be cross).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse 'cross' (verb) with 'angry' meaning unless used as an adjective ('He is cross').
- The noun 'cross' (крест) does not mean 'crossing' (переход).
- 'To cross out' means to delete by drawing a line through, not just to remove.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cross' as a noun for 'angry' (e.g., 'He has a cross' is wrong).
- Confusing 'cross' with 'across' (preposition).
- Incorrect phrasal verb: 'cross over something' vs. 'cross something'.
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'cross that bridge when we come to it', what does 'cross' metaphorically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it functions as all three: a noun (a cross), a verb (to cross), and an adjective (a cross expression).
'Cross' suggests mild to moderate irritation and is often used for temporary annoyances, especially in British English. 'Angry' is a stronger, more general term.
Yes, in contexts like breeding or hybridisation (e.g., 'cross a horse with a donkey') or in ideas (e.g., 'cross-fertilisation of concepts').
It refers to the physical act of folding one finger over another, a gesture symbolising hope for good luck or that one is telling a white lie.
Collections
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Science and Research
B2 · 43 words · Academic and scientific research methodology.