crosscheck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; technical in specific contexts (e.g., auditing, research, hockey).
Quick answer
What does “crosscheck” mean?
To verify the accuracy of something by using an alternative method or source.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To verify the accuracy of something by using an alternative method or source.
The act of checking information against multiple independent sources to ensure reliability; in sports (e.g., ice hockey), an illegal move where a player hits an opponent with the stick held in both hands and away from the body.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verification sense is identical in both varieties. In hockey terminology, more common in North America (AmE) due to the sport's prominence.
Connotations
Neutral for verification; negative/penal in sports context.
Frequency
Higher frequency in AmE overall, driven by sports usage and business/auditing contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crosscheck” in a Sentence
crosscheck somethingcrosscheck something with someonecrosscheck something against somethingcrosscheck withVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crosscheck” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Please crosscheck the client's address with the electoral register.
- The journalist crosschecked the minister's claims with official statistics.
American English
- Always crosscheck your sources before publishing the article.
- The accountant crosschecked the totals with the bank statements.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. 'Cross-checkingly' is not used.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The crosscheck procedure is outlined in the manual. (less common, attributive use of noun)
American English
- We ran a crosscheck analysis on the dataset. (attributive use of noun)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential in auditing and financial reporting to ensure data integrity.
Academic
Critical in research methodology to verify sources and data.
Everyday
Used when confirming details like travel plans or important information.
Technical
Standard procedure in computing (e.g., data validation), engineering, and laboratory sciences.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crosscheck”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crosscheck”
- Using as a synonym for 'check' without the implied use of a secondary source.
- Misspelling as two words ('cross check') or hyphenated ('cross-check') – both are common variants, but solid form is standard for the verb/noun in many dictionaries.
- Confusing the noun and verb forms in sentence structure (e.g., 'I will do a crosscheck' vs. 'I will crosscheck it').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most modern dictionaries list it as one word (solid) for both noun and verb, though the hyphenated form 'cross-check' is also widely accepted. The two-word form is less standard.
They are close synonyms. 'Crosscheck' often implies using a different, independent source or method for verification. 'Double-check' is more general and can mean simply checking the same source again more carefully.
Yes, especially in situations requiring careful verification (e.g., travel plans, important details). It sounds slightly more formal than 'double-check' but is perfectly natural.
It is common and well-known in North America and countries where ice hockey is popular. In other contexts, the verification meaning is dominant.
To verify the accuracy of something by using an alternative method or source.
Crosscheck is usually neutral to formal; technical in specific contexts (e.g., auditing, research, hockey). in register.
Crosscheck: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒs.tʃek/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɑːs.tʃek/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Crosscheck your facts”
- “A crosscheck against reality”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CROSSroads: you CHECK multiple paths (sources) before deciding which way to go.
Conceptual Metaphor
VERIFICATION IS INTERSECTION (checking where two independent sources meet/agree).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'crosscheck' have a COMPLETELY different meaning?