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cross

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verb

/krɒs/

present tense
I/you/we/they	cross
he/she/it	crosses
present participle	crossing
past tense	crossed
past participle	crossed

1
[intransitive/transitive] to go from one side of something such as a road or river to the other
She wanted to be sure the children had crossed the road safely.
Wait until there is no traffic and it’s safe to cross.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: more
1. a.
  to go from one side of something such as a room or enclosed area to the other
  A tall woman was crossing the office towards me.
  cross to:
  He crossed to the window and closed the curtains.
  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: cut across, push, bulldoze, cut through, squeeze... more
2. b.
  to go from one side of a border or line that separates places to the other
  It was dark when we crossed the French border.
  cross into:
  Refugees had been crossing into Albania all day.
  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: cut across, push, bulldoze, cut through, squeeze... more
2
[intransitive] if things such as roads or lines cross, they go across each other
Meet me at the point where the two paths cross.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: cut across, push, bulldoze, cut through, squeeze... more
1. a.
  [transitive] to go across something
  An old Roman road crosses the modern street at right angles.
  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: cut across, push, bulldoze, cut through, squeeze... more
3
[transitive] biology to combine one breed of animal with another, or to mix one type of plant with another, in order to produce an animal or plant that is genetically different from both parents
cross something with something:
a domestic dog crossed with a wolf
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: more
4
[transitive] if an expression crosses someone’s face or lips, it appears there for a short time
A little smile crossed her lips.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: more
5
[transitive] in sports such as football, to kick or hit the ball from one side of the field to someone in the middle or on the other side
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: strike at, kick, play, shoot, pass... more
6
[transitive] to oppose someone, or to disagree with them
No one ever dared cross him.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: oppose, go against, have/have got against, object, reject... more

phrases

cross your arms
to put one arm over the other in front of your body, so that each hand is on the opposite elbow
He crossed his arms and stood in the doorway looking hostile.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: reach out, reach, kick, bend, wave... more
cross a boundary/line
to go beyond accepted limits or standards of behaviour
There is a line between joking and being offensive, and this man crossed that line.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: go to extremes, rampage, run amok, go mad, overdo... more
cross a cheque
British
to draw two lines across a cheque to show that it can be paid only into the bank account of the person whose name is on it
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: more
cross your fingers
or keep your fingers crossed
to put your middle finger over your first finger as a wish for good luck
I’m going to see if the car starts; keep your fingers crossed!
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: more
cross your heart (and hope to die)
spoken
used as a way of making a promise, especially between children
‘I won’t tell – cross my heart!’
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: solemn, empty, hollow, broken, as good as your word... more
cross your legs
to sit with one leg placed over the other at the knee
She kept crossing and uncrossing her legs nervously.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: more
cross someone’s mind
if something crosses your mind, you think of it, but often not for very long or very seriously
It suddenly crossed his mind that maybe Stephanie had been right.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: occur to, flash, dawn, think, strike... more
cross someone’s palm with silver
humorous
to give money to someone, especially so that they will tell your fortune (=say what will happen to you in the future)
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: disburse, spend, pay, pay out, finance... more
cross that bridge when you come to it
to deal with something when it happens, and not worry about it before
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: calm down, relax, wind down, settle, cool down... more
cross yourself
to make the shape of the Christian symbol of the Cross over your body, by moving a hand from the head to the chest and then from shoulder to shoulder, especially in the Roman Catholic religion
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: more
paths cross
if two people’s paths cross, they meet without planning to
Their paths were to cross several times in the years ahead.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: introduce, meet, come across, run into, see... more

phrasal verbs

cross off

[transitive]

present tense
I/you/we/they	cross off
he/she/it	crosses off
present participle	crossing off
past tense	crossed off
past participle	crossed off

to draw a line through something on a list to show that you have dealt with it

The children say their names, and you cross them off.

Synonyms or related words for this meaning of

cross out

[transitive]

present tense
I/you/we/they	cross out
he/she/it	crosses out
present participle	crossing out
past tense	crossed out
past participle	crossed out

to draw an X or a line through writing because it is wrong or because you have decided to write something else

Just cross out the old address.

cross over

[intransitive]

present tense
I/you/we/they	cross over
he/she/it	crosses over
present participle	crossing over
past tense	crossed over
past participle	crossed over

1
to stop supporting one group and start supporting another
cross over to:
Another member of the government has crossed over to the opposition.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: change your mind, see reason/sense, adapt, revise, move on... more
2
to start to belong to a different group or type from before
cross over into:
Several Latino singers have crossed over into mainstream rock.
Synonyms or related words for this meaning of cross: change, turn into, change into, convert, go over to... more

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Related dictionary definitions

phrases

cross your arms

cross a boundary/line

cross a cheque

cross your fingers

or keep your fingers crossed

cross your heart (and hope to die)

cross your legs

cross someone’s mind

cross someone’s palm with silver

cross that bridge when you come to it

cross yourself

paths cross