crossroads: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, used across all registers. The literal sense is everyday; the metaphorical sense is formal/literary.
Quick answer
What does “crossroads” mean?
A place where two or more roads intersect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place where two or more roads intersect.
A point at which a crucial decision must be made, affecting future direction; a critical juncture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal term is identical. In figurative use, British English may more frequently use 'at a crossroads' where American might use 'at a turning point' or 'at a fork in the road'.
Connotations
The metaphorical sense carries a slightly more formal, decisive, and sometimes fateful connotation than the simpler 'junction' or 'intersection'.
Frequency
Both literal and figurative uses are common in both varieties. The metaphorical use is somewhat more frequent in American English journalistic and self-help contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crossroads” in a Sentence
be at a crossroadscome to a crossroadsstand at a crossroadsfind oneself at a crossroadsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company is at a crossroads and must decide whether to expand or consolidate.
Academic
The late 18th century represented a crossroads in European political thought.
Everyday
Turn left at the next crossroads, just after the pub.
Technical
The traffic lights at the major crossroads are coordinated to improve flow.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crossroads”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crossroads”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crossroads”
- Using plural verb with singular sense (e.g., 'The crossroads are busy' is correct for the place; 'A crossroads is ahead' is also correct).
- Misspelling as 'crossroad' (singular) when using the standard term.
- Using 'in a crossroads' instead of 'at a crossroads'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is treated as both. When referring to the physical location, it can take a singular or plural verb ('The crossroads is/are busy'). In its metaphorical sense, it is almost always singular ('This is a crossroads').
'Intersection' is more technical and common in American English for the physical place. 'Crossroads' is more common in British English for the physical place and is the standard term for the metaphorical 'critical decision point' in both varieties.
While 'crossroad' exists, especially in American English (e.g., Robert Johnson's 'Cross Road Blues'), the standard term in both varieties for the concept is the plural-form 'crossroads', even for a single junction.
The correct preposition is almost always 'at' (e.g., 'at a crossroads', 'at the crossroads').
A place where two or more roads intersect.
Crossroads is usually neutral, used across all registers. the literal sense is everyday; the metaphorical sense is formal/literary. in register.
Crossroads: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒsrəʊdz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɔːsroʊdz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at a crossroads (in one's life/career)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant plus sign (+) in the road where you must CROSS. At this point, you must choose a ROUTE. CROSS-ROUTE becomes CROSSROADS, a place of decision.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / DECISIONS ARE PATHS CHOSEN AT AN INTERSECTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'crossroads' used metaphorically?