cross-purpose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Informal
Quick answer
What does “cross-purpose” mean?
A situation where people misunderstand each other's intentions or goals, leading to confusion or conflict.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A situation where people misunderstand each other's intentions or goals, leading to confusion or conflict.
Also refers to conversational misunderstanding where participants are talking about different things without realizing it, or actions performed at cross-purposes (with opposing aims).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. Slightly more common in British English writing, but used in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes frustration, miscommunication, and inefficiency. Neutral in tone.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both. More likely in business, management, or relationship contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cross-purpose” in a Sentence
[be/go/act/talk/work] at cross-purposes (with somebody)working at cross-purposesVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Often used to describe teams or departments whose goals conflict, reducing overall efficiency.
Academic
Used in discourse analysis, communication studies, and sociology to describe conversational breakdowns.
Everyday
Describes personal misunderstandings in relationships or group projects.
Technical
Not typically used in STEM fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cross-purpose”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross-purpose”
- Using singular 'cross-purpose' incorrectly (e.g., 'We have a cross-purpose').
- Omitting 'at' (e.g., 'We are cross-purposes').
- Confusing with 'cross-purpose' as an adjective (not standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost never in modern usage. The standard form is the plural 'cross-purposes', used after 'at' or in similar constructions.
No. It is a noun used primarily in a predicative position after 'at' (e.g., 'They are at cross-purposes'). You cannot say 'a cross-purposes meeting'.
'At cross-purposes' implies an ongoing state of conflicting intentions or goals, often between parties who are trying to cooperate. A 'misunderstanding' can be a single, isolated incident.
It is acceptable in both registers but is more common in written and formal spoken English than in casual conversation, where 'mixed signals' or 'not on the same page' might be used.
A situation where people misunderstand each other's intentions or goals, leading to confusion or conflict.
Cross-purpose: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɒs ˈpɜː.pəs.ɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɑːs ˈpɝː.pəs.ɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be at cross-purposes”
- “to talk at cross-purposes”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of two people trying to push a door: one pushes while the other pulls. They are working with CROSSed PURPOSES.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A JOURNEY / ALIGNMENT IS PHYSICAL ALIGNMENT. Being 'at cross-purposes' implies paths that intersect but head in different directions.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'to be at cross-purposes' mean?