cross-country: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Semi-Formal; Technical in sports contexts.
Quick answer
What does “cross-country” mean?
Moving or travelling across open countryside, not using roads, or across the entire area of a country.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Moving or travelling across open countryside, not using roads, or across the entire area of a country.
Relating to a sport involving racing over long distances across open country, typically on foot, skis, or in off-road vehicles; also used to describe journeys, trips, or infrastructure that spans the breadth of a nation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight spelling variation in derived nouns: BrE 'cross-country runner', AmE also uses 'cross country runner' (less common without hyphen). In AmE, 'cross-country' is strongly associated with long-distance road trips across the continent.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with endurance, nature, and amateur sport. In AmE, has an additional strong connotation of a classic, epic road trip (e.g., coast-to-coast).
Frequency
Comparatively frequent in both, but higher in AmE in non-sporting travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cross-country” in a Sentence
[adjective] + [noun][verb] + [cross-country (as adverb)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross-country” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The hikers decided to strike out cross-country to reach the village faster.
- We navigated cross-country using only a compass.
American English
- They flew cross-country to attend the wedding.
- To avoid traffic, we went cross-country on back roads.
adjective
British English
- She took part in a gruelling cross-country competition in the Lake District.
- The cross-country rail network is facing delays.
American English
- They embarked on a cross-country drive from New York to California.
- He's the state champion in cross-country running.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in logistics (e.g., 'cross-country freight services') or corporate travel policies.
Academic
Used in sports science, geography (describing features or movements), and transport studies.
Everyday
Common in discussing sports, travel plans, and road trips.
Technical
Precise term in athletics, skiing, and orienteering for specific event types.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cross-country”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cross-country”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross-country”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'We cross-countried the US' – incorrect).
- Omitting the hyphen, especially in adjective position (e.g., 'cross country race' is often considered incorrect in formal writing).
- Confusing 'cross-country' (sport/travel) with 'countryside' (general rural area).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is hyphenated when used as an adjective or adverb (e.g., a cross-country race, they drove cross-country). The noun form for the sport is also typically hyphenated.
No, 'cross-country' is not a verb. The related verb is simply 'cross' (e.g., to cross the country).
Both imply not on paved roads. 'Off-road' specifically refers to vehicles and driving on rough terrain. 'Cross-country' has a broader sense of movement across country (on foot, skis, etc.) and specifically denotes sports and long-distance national travel.
No, the most common are cross-country running and cross-country skiing, but it can also apply to mountain biking, motocross, and equestrian events held over natural terrain.
Moving or travelling across open countryside, not using roads, or across the entire area of a country.
Cross-country is usually neutral to semi-formal; technical in sports contexts. in register.
Cross-country: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɒs ˈkʌn.tri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔːs ˈkʌn.tri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To go cross-country: to travel directly across country, avoiding main roads.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a huge X (cross) drawn over a map of a country: you're going cross-country.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / SPORT IS WAR (navigating challenging terrain).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cross-country' LEAST likely to be used?