cross
/krɒs/ (bre, ipa) · [krˈɔs] /krɔːs/ (ame, ipa) · [krˈɔs] /ˈkrȯs/ (ame, mw) · [krˈɔs] /krɑːs/ (ame, ipa)
cross — verb
- crosspresent simple I / you / we / they
- crosseshe / she / it
- crossedpast simple
- crossing-ing form
1. to travel across a road, river, bridge, or other area and reach the opposite edg
to travel across a road, river, bridge, or other area and reach the opposite edge.
Feng looked both ways before he crossed the busy street near his school.
cross + noun phrase (street, road)
The old stone bridge crosses the river at the narrowest point.
inanimate subject; bridge as subject of cross
Sari crossed over to the other side of the room to greet her aunt.
It took the hikers more than four hours to cross the mountain range.
Noor crossed the square carefully, holding her grandmother's hand.
- traverse
more formal; often used for difficult or lengthy journeys across land or sea
- stay
remain on the same side
文法句型
cross + noun phrase (road, river, bridge)
cross + adverb/preposition (over, to)
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (cross the road) or intransitively with a preposition (cross over, cross to).
常見錯誤
2. if a thought or idea crosses your mind, it comes into your thoughts, often sudde
if a thought or idea crosses your mind, it comes into your thoughts, often suddenly or unexpectedly.
It never crossed Ignacio's mind that the exam would be so difficult.
it crosses somebody's mind + that-clause
The thought of leaving her job crossed Chiara's mind more than once.
subject (a thought) + crosses + somebody's mind
Did it ever cross your mind that Benjamin might have been telling the truth?
A strange idea crossed Tariro's mind as she watched the rain fall outside the window.
It crossed my mind that we had forgotten to lock the back door before leaving.
- occur to
more common in formal writing; has the same structure 'it occurs to someone that...'
文法句型
it crosses somebody's mind that...
something crosses somebody's mind
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'mind' as a fixed phrase. The subject is typically 'it' or an abstract noun phrase (thought, idea). Not used as 'I crossed my mind' — the thought is the grammatical subject.
常見錯誤
3. to put a limb such as an arm or leg over or across the other one, so that they f
to put a limb such as an arm or leg over or across the other one, so that they form a folded position.
Heather sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs, feeling more relaxed.
cross + legs
Andrei crossed his arms and stared silently out of the train window.
cross + arms (sign of being closed-off or thinking)
Sivan crossed her fingers tightly and hoped the news would be good.
Eve crossed her ankles and leaned back against the cushions on the bench.
The children sat on the floor with their arms crossed, waiting for story time.
- fold
specifically for arms; 'fold your arms' means the same as 'cross your arms'
- uncross
to return limbs to a non-crossed position
文法句型
cross + body part
用法筆記
Commonly used with reflexive body parts — you cross YOUR arms, not someone else's. The past participle 'crossed' is often used as an adjective: 'with crossed arms/legs.'
常見錯誤
4. to deliberately oppose someone or refuse to do what they want, making them annoy
to deliberately oppose someone or refuse to do what they want, making them annoyed or angry.
Feng knew his father would be angry, but he was determined not to cross him.
cross + someone (personal opposition)
The journalist crossed the government by publishing the secret report without permission.
cross + institution/authority
Sari warned her little brother not to cross their mother when she was already tired.
Benjamin had crossed his boss once too often and now faced the risk of losing his job.
No one in the office dared to cross the manager after her angry speech that morning.
文法句型
cross + someone
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or group. The person 'crossed' is typically someone with authority or power who would react negatively to opposition.
常見錯誤
5. to make two living things from different breeds or types produce young together,
to make two living things from different breeds or types produce young together, so that a new mixed kind is created.
Farmers crossed the local wheat with a hardier variety from Canada to improve the crop.
cross + A + with + B
The scientist crossed two types of roses to create a flower with a stronger scent.
cross + types/species
Gardeners crossed this tomato plant with a wild species to make it resist disease better.
Breeders crossed a male donkey with a female horse many years ago to produce a mule.
Tariro learned in biology class how to cross different types of fruit trees in the garden.
- hybridize
more technical and scientific; less common in everyday speech
- interbreed
used when animals naturally mix, not when humans deliberately cause it
文法句型
cross + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in agriculture, horticulture, and animal breeding contexts. Often followed by 'with' to name the second parent type.
6. in games such as football and rugby, to send the ball sideways across the field
in games such as football and rugby, to send the ball sideways across the field towards a teammate who is close to the goal.
Ignacio crossed the ball to his teammate, who scored the winning goal.
cross + the ball + to + player
The midfielder crossed from the right wing into the penalty area near the goal.
cross + from + location (intransitive)
Noor crossed the ball low and fast across the front of the goal mouth.
Heather watched the winger cross the ball to the striker in the final minute of the game.
Chiara crossed the ball perfectly from the left side, and Benjamin headed it into the net.
- pass
general term for sending the ball to a teammate; a cross is a specific type of sideways pass
文法句型
cross + the ball
cross + from + location
cross + to + player
用法筆記
In British English, this sense is extremely common in football commentary. In American English, 'pass' or 'cross' is less sport-specific. The object is typically 'the ball' or a pronoun.
常見錯誤
7. to draw two parallel lines across the front of a cheque so that the money goes s
to draw two parallel lines across the front of a cheque so that the money goes straight into the payee's bank account rather than being handed out as cash over the counter.
Feng asked the teller if he should cross the cheque before mailing it.
The accountant crossed the cheques so nobody could cash them without a bank deposit.
passive: be crossed (cheque); purpose clause with so that
Noor received a crossed cheque from her insurance company and deposited it through her phone.
Benjamin's landlord required crossed cheques for proper record keeping.
文法句型
cross + cheque
用法筆記
This sense is primarily British. In the US cheques are rarely used and the practice of crossing them is not common.
常見錯誤
8. to trace the Christian cross symbol with one's hand, moving from the forehead do
to trace the Christian cross symbol with one's hand, moving from the forehead down to the chest and then from shoulder to shoulder, as a personal gesture of faith or prayer.
As the church bells rang, Heather crossed herself and walked through the door.
Tariro watched the old woman cross herself before she sat down in the wooden pew.
pattern: watch + someone + cross oneself (bare infinitive)
Ignacio crossed himself and whispered a quiet prayer as the procession passed by.
Andrei's grandmother always crossed herself whenever she heard a siren outside the house.
文法句型
cross + oneself
用法筆記
This sense is always used reflexively — the subject and object are the same person. It describes a physical gesture, not a feeling or belief.
9. when two lines, roads, or similar long objects lie across one another, sharing a
when two lines, roads, or similar long objects lie across one another, sharing a single point where they meet.
The two main roads cross at the central square in the old town district.
intransitive: roads cross at [location]
Feng drew two straight lines that crossed at the centre of the blank page.
The railway tracks cross the highway just outside the small village.
Sivan checked the map to see where the hiking trail crossed the stream.
文法句型
two things cross (intransitive)
something crosses something (transitive)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 10 (PASS EACH OTHER): sense 9 describes a fixed geometric relationship — two lines or routes share a point. Sense 10 describes two moving objects passing each other from opposite directions.
10. when two people, vehicles, or other moving objects go past each other from oppos
when two people, vehicles, or other moving objects go past each other from opposite directions while travelling, so that each briefly sees or passes the other.
Heather and her neighbour crossed on the staircase without stopping to speak.
intransitive: [person] and [person] cross on [surface]
The two delivery vans crossed on the narrow bridge, each slowing down to squeeze past.
Chiara crossed paths with her old piano teacher at the supermarket checkout.
The letters crossed in the post, so each friend thought the other had not replied.
文法句型
two people/things cross (intransitive)
cross paths (idiomatic)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 9 (INTERSECT): sense 10 involves movement — things passing each other along their own paths. Sense 9 describes a fixed point where two stationary lines or routes meet.
11. to draw a single line or an X shape through written words, an entry, or a name t
to draw a single line or an X shape through written words, an entry, or a name to show that it should be removed or is no longer correct.
Tariro crossed the wrong answer with a line and wrote the correct one beside it.
pattern: cross [noun] with [instrument]
Before signing, Sari crossed the old address and wrote her new one above it.
The editor crossed several unnecessary paragraphs from the draft article.
Eve crossed the misspelled name on the guest list and printed the correction above it.
- cross out
more common in everyday speech; the phrasal verb form
- strike through
more formal; often used in editing or legal contexts
- delete
broader; can be done with an eraser or keyboard rather than a pen line
文法句型
cross + [written text]
用法筆記
This sense differs from the phrasal verb 'cross out' in that 'cross' alone usually refers to a single line drawn through an item, while 'cross out' is the more common form in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
cross — noun
- crosssingular
- crossesplural
1. a symbol made by drawing one line across another, used to show a place on a map,
a symbol made by drawing one line across another, used to show a place on a map, mark a wrong answer, or indicate a choice on a form.
Put a cross next to the correct answer on your test paper.
The map has a red cross to show where the museum is located.
used on a map to mark a location
Sari made a small cross beside each item on the shopping list.
Feng drew a cross through the wrong answer and wrote the correct one.
Eve put a cross in the box next to the candidate she wanted.
- tick
a check mark indicates correct, while a cross indicates wrong
常見錯誤
2. a wooden construction made of a tall vertical post with a horizontal bar fixed c
a wooden construction made of a tall vertical post with a horizontal bar fixed close to the upper end, used in the ancient world to execute people by attaching them to it.
In ancient Rome, prisoners were often nailed to a cross as a punishment.
nailed to a cross — passive construction
The museum has a life-sized model of a Roman cross used for executions.
Benjamin read about how the cross was used as a method of capital punishment.
Historians believe that thousands of slaves died on crosses in the Roman Empire.
- crucifix
a cross with a figure of Christ on it; specifically Christian, not the bare execution device
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (CHRISTIAN SYMBOL) — this sense refers only to the historical device used for execution, not to the religious symbol.
常見錯誤
3. the cross-shaped symbol that stands for the Christian religion and for the death
the cross-shaped symbol that stands for the Christian religion and for the death of Jesus Christ.
Heather wore a small silver cross around her neck.
wore a [material] cross — jewellery context
The church tower is topped with a tall stone cross.
Many Christian families hang a cross on the wall of their living room.
Noor's grandmother gave her a golden cross when she was baptised.
The wooden cross stands at the front of the church above the altar.
- crucifix
a cross that includes a representation of Jesus' body; more specific than a plain cross
用法筆記
The cross as a Christian symbol is often worn as jewellery or placed in churches and homes. Distinguish from sense 2 (EXECUTION DEVICE), which refers to the historical torture implement.
4. an award shaped like a cross, given to soldiers and other people for bravery or
an award shaped like a cross, given to soldiers and other people for bravery or for serving their country.
The soldier received a cross for bravery during the war.
received a cross for bravery — award context
Ignacio's grandfather kept his military cross in a wooden box.
The Queen presented a cross to each of the injured service members.
Andrei found an old cross among his uncle's medals from the 1940s.
- medal
general term; a cross is one specific shape of medal
- decoration
formal term for an award or honour
5. something created by bringing together two distinct items, often plants or anima
something created by bringing together two distinct items, often plants or animals bred with each other, or a product that blends separate styles or features.
This fruit is a cross between a plum and an apricot.
a cross between X and Y — standard pattern for hybrids
The zoo has a cross between a lion and a tiger called a liger.
Chiara created a new flower that was a cross of two rose varieties.
The restaurant's menu is a cross between Italian and Japanese cooking styles.
Their new car is a cross between a sports car and a family vehicle.
- pure breed
an animal or plant of unmixed ancestry, opposite of a cross-breed
文法句型
a cross between X and Y
用法筆記
Commonly used in the pattern 'a cross between X and Y', where X and Y are two distinct things being combined.
常見錯誤
6. in football and similar sports, a ball played sideways across the field towards
in football and similar sports, a ball played sideways across the field towards the centre or the far side.
The player sent a perfect cross to his teammate in front of the goal.
send a cross to — common verb pattern in football
Sivan kicked a high cross from the right wing into the penalty area.
The goalkeeper caught the cross before any striker could reach it.
Benjamin's cross from the left side led directly to the winning goal.
The team practised sending crosses into the penalty area all afternoon.
7. a difficult situation, problem, or responsibility that someone has to deal with
a difficult situation, problem, or responsibility that someone has to deal with over a long period, often used figuratively like a heavy weight
For Shanti, looking after her elderly mother had become a heavy cross to carry.
collocation: cross to bear/carry
The team's poor results were a cross their manager Chiara had to bear alone.
Everyone has their own cross to bear, and Feng's was the fear of public speaking.
Benjamin saw his hearing loss as a cross he learned to live with over time.
Heather's difficult childhood became a cross that shaped her into a stronger person.
- blessing
something that brings happiness or good fortune
文法句型
a cross to bear / carry
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the fixed expression 'a cross to bear' or 'carry one's cross.' The subject is typically a long-term personal difficulty, not a temporary problem.
常見錯誤
cross — adjective
- crosspositive
- crossercomparative
- crossestsuperlative
1. feeling slightly upset or angry, especially about something another person has d
feeling slightly upset or angry, especially about something another person has done
Feng was cross with his younger brother for borrowing his bicycle without asking.
be cross with + person + for + reason
The teacher looked cross when no one in the class had finished the reading assignment.
Heather gets cross whenever the morning train to the city arrives late.
Ignacio sounded cross on the phone because the hotel had lost his booking.
A cross letter arrived from the manager about the report that was overdue.
用法筆記
More common in British English than 'angry' for describing mild, everyday annoyance. Frequently used with the verbs 'get', 'be', 'sound', and 'look'.
常見錯誤
2. placed or moving in a direction that goes from one side to the other, usually at
placed or moving in a direction that goes from one side to the other, usually at an angle or opposite direction to something else
A cross breeze came through the open windows and cooled the hot kitchen.
cross breeze — wind moving across a space
The carpenter measured the cross beams before fixing them to the main frame.
Noor took a cross street to avoid the traffic jam on the highway.
The diagram shows a cross section of the human heart with labels.
Sivan sat in the cross breeze between the two open doors of the café.
- transverse
more technical; used in scientific or formal contexts
- crosswise
can be used as an adjective or adverb; means the same as 'cross' in this sense
- parallel
running in the same direction without meeting
- lengthwise
going along the longest side of something
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Common in compound-like phrases such as 'cross section', 'cross street', and 'cross breeze'.
常見錯誤
cross — adverb
1. in a position or arrangement where one thing goes across another, so that the tw
in a position or arrangement where one thing goes across another, so that the two pieces or lines intersect or form an X shape
Feng laid the wooden planks cross on top of the concrete floor.
verb + object + cross (position after object)
Tariro tied the ropes cross around the parcel to hold it shut.
The old railway tracks ran cross through the middle of the village.
Shanti placed the knives cross on the tray so they would not move.
Noor held the two bamboo sticks cross while Benjamin tied them together.
- crosswise
more common in everyday speech; interchangeable in most contexts
- crisscross
suggests multiple intersecting lines, not just a single crossing
- diagonally
implies a slanted angle rather than a right-angle crossing
- parallel
lines or objects that run side by side without intersecting
用法筆記
The adverb 'cross' is less common in everyday conversation; the synonym 'crosswise' is more frequent in casual or spoken English. 'Cross' often appears in written instructions (e.g. for crafts, building) or as part of compound words with a hyphen ('cross-border', 'cross-cultural'). It is placed after the verb or after the object — never before a noun.
常見錯誤
cross — preposition
1. going from one side of a road, river, field, or other open space to the opposite
going from one side of a road, river, field, or other open space to the opposite side, often used in place of 'across' in everyday speech
Feng walked cross the field to reach the old wooden barn.
movement verb + cross + [open space]
Every morning, a ferry takes passengers cross the river to the other side.
Shanti threw a rope cross the gap so the climbers could pull themselves up.
A wooden bridge was built cross the ravine last summer.
The children ran cross the playground the moment the bell rang.
- across
Standard equivalent; 'across' is preferred in formal contexts and in American English
文法句型
cross + [noun phrase denoting a space, area, or gap]
用法筆記
More common in informal British English than in American English, where 'across' is the standard preposition. This form is typically used with movement verbs (walk, run, throw, go) before nouns that refer to open spaces, waterways, or gaps.