crosstown: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral. Common in journalistic, transit, and urban planning contexts; colloquial in informal directions.
Quick answer
What does “crosstown” mean?
Extending across a town or city from one side to another, typically referring to transportation or location.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Extending across a town or city from one side to another, typically referring to transportation or location.
Used metaphorically to describe something that connects different parts of a community, organization, or system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'crosstown' is less common and often replaced by phrases like 'across town' or 'cross-city'. In American English, it is a standard compound, especially in New York City and other large urban contexts.
Connotations
In AmE, strongly associated with urban public transit (buses, trains) and sports rivalries between different parts of a city. In BrE, may sound like an Americanism.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE, particularly in metropolitan areas. Low frequency in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “crosstown” in a Sentence
[adjective] + noun (e.g., crosstown traffic)verb + [adverb] (e.g., travel crosstown)[noun] + is crosstown (predicative adjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crosstown” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – 'crosstown' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – 'crosstown' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- We had to travel across town for the concert.
- The new office is located cross-town.
American English
- She commutes crosstown every day.
- The parade will run crosstown on 5th Avenue.
adjective
British English
- The cross-city (crosstown) rail link is under review.
- It was a lengthy cross-town journey.
American English
- The crosstown bus was stuck in traffic.
- They are our fiercest crosstown rivals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to client locations or branch offices situated on the opposite side of a city. 'The meeting requires a crosstown trip to our downtown office.'
Academic
Used in urban studies, geography, and transportation research. 'The study analysed crosstown migration patterns.'
Everyday
Giving or understanding directions. 'To get to the museum, take the crosstown bus.'
Technical
In traffic engineering and public transit planning. 'The new crosstown light rail line aims to reduce congestion.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crosstown”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crosstown”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crosstown”
- Using as a noun (*'I took the crosstown') instead of 'I took the crosstown bus/train'.
- Spelling as two words: 'cross town' (less common in AmE as a compound modifier).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When used as an adjective or adverb before a noun (e.g., crosstown traffic), it is almost always spelled as one solid word, especially in American English. As an adverbial phrase after a verb (e.g., travel across town), it may appear as two words.
No, it is not standard. It is an adjective or adverb. You must use it with a noun (e.g., 'the crosstown' is incorrect; say 'the crosstown bus' or 'the crosstown service').
'Downtown' refers to the central business or historic district of a city. 'Crosstown' describes movement or position extending from one side of a city to the other, often passing through or bypassing downtown.
It is understood but is considered an Americanism. British English prefers phrases like 'across town', 'cross-city', or 'cross-town' (with a hyphen).
Extending across a town or city from one side to another, typically referring to transportation or location.
Crosstown is usually neutral. common in journalistic, transit, and urban planning contexts; colloquial in informal directions. in register.
Crosstown: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒs.taʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɔːs.taʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “crosstown rivals (sports teams from different parts of the same city)”
- “to go crosstown”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'town' being 'crossed' by a bus line. Visualise a line cutting directly across a map of a city from east to west.
Conceptual Metaphor
CITY AS A BARRIER / CONTAINER. 'Crosstown' conceptualises the city as an entity that must be traversed or penetrated to connect two opposite sides.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'crosstown' MOST typically used in American English?