Ask Difference

Across vs. Cross — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 19, 2023
Across is a preposition or adverb indicating movement from one side to the other. Cross can be a noun, verb, or adjective referring to a structure, movement, or characteristic resembling an intersection or "X".
Across vs. Cross — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Across and Cross

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Key Differences

Across and Cross, both in their essence, reflect a movement or position. "Across" primarily functions as a preposition or an adverb, indicating an action or placement from one side to the other. In contrast, "Cross" possesses a broader range of applications, serving as a noun, verb, and adjective.
When one talks about moving "across" a room, the emphasis is on the traversal of space from one end to another. On the other hand, to "cross" a street means to move from one side to the opposite, but it also emphasizes the action of crossing itself.
As a noun, "Cross" can represent structures or symbols resembling an "X" or a "t", such as a religious emblem. "Across" doesn't share this noun functionality, but instead, paints a picture of spanning or covering space.
In terms of symbolic representation, "cross" can denote intersection, hybridity, or a point of conflict. For instance, a "cross" in genetics means breeding two varieties. Whereas "across", while not symbolic in the same manner, still conveys a sense of breadth, expanse, or coverage.
Grammatically, it's important to discern when to use "across" and "cross." For instance, one might walk "across" a bridge but would "cross" a river. Recognizing the subtle nuances between "across" and "cross" can enhance clarity and precision in communication.
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Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Primarily a preposition/adverb
Noun, Verb, Adjective

Indication

Movement or placement from one side to another
Action, structure, or characteristic of "X"

Common Usage

Spanning, covering space
Intersection, traversing

Symbolic Meaning

Breadth, expanse
Intersection, hybridity, conflict

Examples

Across the room, across the sea
Cross the road, a wooden cross

Compare with Definitions

Across

Spanning or covering.
The news spread across the town.

Cross

To move or extend from one side to another.
He decided to cross the busy street.

Across

In a position reaching from one side to another.
There was a log lying across the path.

Cross

To breed two varieties.
They attempted to cross a lion and a tiger.

Across

From one side of to the other
A bridge across a river.

Cross

Annoyed or quite angry.
She was cross when her toy broke.

Across

Reaching to a point or extent.
The water reached across my ankles.

Cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally.

Across

On, at, or from the other side of
Across the street.

Cross

A mark, object, or figure formed by two short intersecting lines or pieces (+ or ×)
Place a cross against the preferred choice

Across

So as to cross; through
Drew lines across the paper.

Cross

An upright post with a transverse bar, as used in antiquity for crucifixion.

Across

Into contact with
Came across my old roommate.

Cross

An animal or plant resulting from cross-breeding; a hybrid
A Galloway and shorthorn cross

Across

From one side to the other
The footbridge swayed when I ran across.

Cross

A pass of the ball across the field towards the centre close to one's opponents' goal
Beckham's low cross was turned into the net by Cole

Across

On or to the opposite side
We came across by ferry.

Cross

Go or extend across or to the other side of (an area, stretch of water, etc.)
A shadow of apprehension crossed her face
Two paths crossed the field
We crossed over the bridge
She has crossed the Atlantic twice

Across

Crosswise; crossed.

Cross

Pass in an opposite or different direction; intersect
The two lines cross at 90°

Across

In such a manner as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or successful
Put our idea across.
Get a message across.

Cross

Draw a line or lines across; mark with a cross
Voters should ask one question before they cross today's ballot paper

Across

Being in a crossed position
Seated with arms across.

Cross

(of a person) make the sign of the cross in front of one's chest as a sign of Christian reverence or to invoke divine protection
Beatie crossed herself quickly at the mention of the dead

Across

To, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
We rowed across the river.
Fortunately, there was a bridge across the river.
He came across the street to meet me.

Cross

Pass (the ball) across the field towards the centre when attacking
He could not get to the line to cross the ball
Powell crossed from the left

Across

On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
That store is across the street.

Cross

Cause (an animal of one species, breed, or variety) to breed with one of another species, breed, or variety
Many animals of the breed were crossed with the closely related Guernsey

Across

Across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).

Cross

Oppose or stand in the way of (someone)
No one dared cross him

Across

From one side to the other within (a space being traversed).
The meteor streaked across the sky.
He walked across the room.
Could you slide that across the table to me, please?

Cross

Annoyed
He seemed to be very cross about something

Across

At or near the far end of (a space).

Cross

An upright post with a transverse piece near the top, on which condemned persons were executed in ancient times.

Across

Spanning.
This poetry speaks across the centuries.

Cross

Often Cross The cross upon which Jesus was crucified.

Across

Throughout.
All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.

Cross

A crucifix.

Across

So as to intersect or pass through or over at an angle.
Lay the top stick across the bottom one.
She had straps fastened across the conduit every six feet.

Cross

Any of various modifications of the cross design, such as a Latin cross or Maltese cross.

Across

In possession of full, up-to-date information about; abreast of.

Cross

A medal, emblem, or insignia in the form of a cross.

Across

From one side to the other.
She helped the blind man across;
The river is half a mile across

Cross

Cross The Christian religion; Christianity.

Across

On the other side.
If we sail off at noon, when will we be across?

Cross

(Christianity) The sign of the cross.

Across

In a particular direction.
He leaned across for a book.

Cross

A trial, affliction, or frustration.

Across

(crosswords) Horizontally.
I got stuck on 4 across.

Cross

A mark or pattern formed by the intersection of two lines, especially such a mark (X) used as a signature.

Across

A word that runs horizontally in the completed puzzle grid or its associated clue.
I solved all of the acrosses, but then got stuck on 3 down.

Cross

A movement from one place to another, as on a stage; a crossing.

Across

From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river.

Cross

A pipe fitting with four branches in upright and transverse form, used as a junction for intersecting pipes.

Across

From side to side; crosswise; as, with arms folded across.

Cross

(Biology) A plant or animal produced by crossbreeding; a hybrid.

Across

Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry.
The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ.

Cross

One that combines the qualities of two other things
A novel that is a cross between romance and satire.

Across

Placed crosswise;
Spoken with a straight face but crossed fingers
Crossed forks
Seated with arms across

Cross

A hook thrown over an opponent's punch in boxing.

Across

To the opposite side;
The football field was 300 feet across

Cross

A pass made into the center of the field to a player in position to score, especially in soccer.

Across

In such a manner as to be understood and accepted;
She cannot get her ideas across

Cross

(Law) An act or instance of cross-examining; a cross-examination.

Across

Transversely;
The marble slabs were cut across

Cross

The Southern Cross.

Across

From one side to the opposite side.
She walked across the bridge.

Cross

(Slang) A contest whose outcome has been dishonestly prearranged.

Across

Over a particular area or expanse.
Stars twinkled across the night sky.

Cross

To go or extend across; pass from one side of to the other
Crossed the room to greet us.
A bridge that crosses the bay.

Cross

To carry or conduct across something
Crossed the horses at the ford.

Cross

To extend or pass through or over; intersect
Elm Street crosses Oak Street.

Cross

(Sports) To propel (a ball or puck) as a cross, as in soccer.

Cross

To delete by drawing a line through
Crossed tasks off her list as she did them.

Cross

To eliminate or dismiss as unimportant or undesirable
“He thought about Mr. Fraser and crossed him off as an unknown quantity” (Scott O'Dell).

Cross

To make or put a line across
Cross and divide a circle.

Cross

To place crosswise one over the other
Cross one's legs.

Cross

To make the sign of the cross upon or over as a sign of devotion or blessing.

Cross

To encounter in passing
His path crossed mine.

Cross

To combine the qualities of two things
A movie that crosses horror with humor.

Cross

To interfere with; thwart or obstruct
Don't cross me.

Cross

To betray or deceive; double-cross. Often used with up.

Cross

(Biology) To crossbreed or cross-fertilize (plants or animals).

Cross

(Law) To cross-examine.

Cross

To lie or pass across each other; intersect.

Cross

To move or extend from one side to another
Crossed through Canada en route to Alaska.

Cross

To make a crossing
Crossed into Germany from Switzerland.

Cross

To meet in passing; come into conjunction
Their paths crossed at the health club.

Cross

To move or be conveyed in opposite directions at the same time
Our letters must have crossed in the mail.

Cross

(Biology) To crossbreed or cross-fertilize.

Cross

Lying or passing crosswise; intersecting
A cross street.

Cross

Contrary or counter; opposing.

Cross

Showing ill humor; annoyed.

Cross

Involving interchange; reciprocal.

Cross

Crossbred; hybrid.

Cross

Crosswise.

Cross

Across.

Cross

A geometrical figure consisting of two straight lines or bars intersecting each other such that at least one of them is bisected by the other.
Put a cross for a wrong answer and a tick for a right one.

Cross

(heraldry) Any geometric figure having this or a similar shape, such as a cross of Lorraine or a Maltese cross.

Cross

A wooden post with a perpendicular beam attached and used (especially in the Roman Empire) to execute criminals (by crucifixion).
Criminals were commonly executed on a wooden cross.

Cross

(Christianity) Usually with the: the cross on which Christ was crucified.

Cross

(Christianity) A hand gesture made in imitation of the shape of the Cross.
She made the cross after swearing.

Cross

(Christianity) A modified representation of the crucifixion stake, worn as jewellery or displayed as a symbol of religious devotion.
She was wearing a cross on her necklace.

Cross

(figurative, from Christ's bearing of the cross) A difficult situation that must be endured.
It's a cross I must bear.

Cross

The act of going across; the act of passing from one side to the other
A quick cross of the road.

Cross

(biology) An animal or plant produced by crossbreeding or cross-fertilization.

Cross

(by extension) A hybrid of any kind.

Cross

(boxing) A hook thrown over the opponent's punch.

Cross

(football) A pass in which the ball is kicked from a side of the pitch to a position close to the opponent’s goal.

Cross

A place where roads intersect and lead off in four directions; a crossroad (common in UK and Irish place names such as Gerrards Cross).

Cross

A monument that marks such a place. (Also common in UK or Irish place names such as Charing Cross)

Cross

(obsolete) A coin stamped with the figure of a cross, or that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general.

Cross

Church lands.

Cross

A line drawn across or through another line.

Cross

(surveying) An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course.

Cross

A pipe-fitting with four branches whose axes usually form a right angle.

Cross

(Rubik's Cube) Four edge cubies of one side that are in their right places, forming the shape of a cross.

Cross

(cartomancy) The thirty-sixth Lenormand card.

Cross

(slang) crossfire.

Cross

Transverse; lying across the main direction.
At the end of each row were cross benches which linked the rows.

Cross

(archaic) Opposite, opposed to.
His actions were perversely cross to his own happiness.

Cross

Opposing, adverse; being contrary to what one would hope or wish for.

Cross

Bad-tempered, angry, annoyed.
She was rather cross about missing her train on the first day of the job.
Please don't get cross at me. (or) Please don't get cross with me.

Cross

Made in an opposite direction, or an inverse relation; mutually inverse; interchanged.
Cross interrogatories
Cross marriages, as when a brother and sister marry persons standing in the same relation to each other

Cross

(nautical) Of the sea, having two wave systems traveling at oblique angles, due to the wind over shifting direction or the waves of two storm systems meeting.

Cross

(archaic) across
She walked cross the mountains.

Cross

Cross product of the previous vector and the following vector.
The Lorentz force is q times v cross B.

Cross

To make or form a cross.

Cross

To place across or athwart; to cause to intersect.
She frowned and crossed her arms.

Cross

To lay or draw something across, such as a line.
To cross the letter t

Cross

To mark with an X.
Cross the box which applies to you.

Cross

To write lines of text at right angles to and over the top of one another in order to save paper.W

Cross

To make the sign of the cross over oneself.

Cross

(transitive) To make the sign of the cross over (something or someone).

Cross

To move relatively.

Cross

(transitive) To go from one side of (something) to the other.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
You need to cross the street at the lights.

Cross

(intransitive) To travel in a direction or path that will intersect with that of another.
Ships crossing from starboard have right-of-way.

Cross

(transitive) To pass, as objects going in an opposite direction at the same time.

Cross

(sports) Relative movement by a player or of players.

Cross

(social) To oppose.

Cross

(transitive) To contradict (another) or frustrate the plans of.
"You'll rue the day you tried to cross me, Tom Hero!" bellowed the villain.

Cross

To interfere and cut off ; to debar.

Cross

(legal) To conduct a cross examination; to question a hostile witness.

Cross

(biology) To cross-fertilize or crossbreed.
They managed to cross a sheep with a goat.

Cross

(transitive) To stamp or mark (a cheque) in such a way as to prevent it being cashed, thus requiring it to be deposited into a bank account.

Cross

A gibbet, consisting of two pieces of timber placed transversely upon one another, in various forms, as a T, or +, with the horizontal piece below the upper end of the upright, or as an X. It was anciently used in the execution of criminals.
Nailed to the crossBy his own nation.

Cross

The sign or mark of the cross, made with the finger, or in ink, etc., or actually represented in some material; the symbol of Christ's death; the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity, of a Christian people, and of Christendom.
The custom of making the sign of the cross with the hand or finger, as a means of conferring blessing or preserving from evil, is very old.
Before the cross has waned the crescent's ray.
Tis where the cross is preached.

Cross

Affiction regarded as a test of patience or virtue; trial; disappointment; opposition; misfortune.
Heaven prepares a good man with crosses.

Cross

A piece of money stamped with the figure of a cross, also, that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general.
I should bear no cross if I did bear you; for I think you have no money in your purse.

Cross

An appendage or ornament or anything in the form of a cross; a badge or ornamental device of the general shape of a cross; hence, such an ornament, even when varying considerably from that form; thus, the Cross of the British Order of St. George and St. Michael consists of a central medallion with seven arms radiating from it.

Cross

A monument in the form of a cross, or surmounted by a cross, set up in a public place; as, a market cross; a boundary cross; Charing Cross in London.
Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillared stone,Rose on a turret octagon.

Cross

A common heraldic bearing, of which there are many varieties. See the Illustration, above.

Cross

The crosslike mark or symbol used instead of a signature by those unable to write.
Five Kentish abbesses . . . .subscribed their names and crosses.

Cross

Church lands.

Cross

A line drawn across or through another line.

Cross

A mixing of breeds or stock, especially in cattle breeding; or the product of such intermixture; a hybrid of any kind.
Toning down the ancient Viking into a sort of a cross between Paul Jones and Jeremy Diddler.

Cross

An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course.

Cross

A pipe-fitting with four branches the axes of which usually form's right angle.

Cross

Not parallel; lying or falling athwart; transverse; oblique; intersecting.
The cross refraction of the second prism.

Cross

Not accordant with what is wished or expected; interrupting; adverse; contrary; thwarting; perverse.
The cross and unlucky issue of my design.
The article of the resurrection seems to lie marvelously cross to the common experience of mankind.
We are both love's captives, but with fates so cross,One must be happy by the other's loss.

Cross

Characterized by, or in a state of, peevishness, fretfulness, or ill humor; as, a cross man or woman.
He had received a cross answer from his mistress.

Cross

Made in an opposite direction, or an inverse relation; mutually inverse; interchanged; as, cross interrogatories; cross marriages, as when a brother and sister marry persons standing in the same relation to each other.

Cross

Athwart; across.
A fox was taking a walk one night cross a village.

Cross

To put across or athwart; to cause to intersect; as, to cross the arms.

Cross

To lay or draw something, as a line, across; as, to cross the letter t.

Cross

To pass from one side to the other of; to pass or move over; to traverse; as, to cross a stream.
A hunted hare . . . crosses and confounds her former track.

Cross

To pass, as objects going in an opposite direction at the same time.

Cross

To run counter to; to thwart; to obstruct; to hinder; to clash or interfere with.
In each thing give him way; cross him in nothing.
An oyster may be crossed in love.

Cross

To interfere and cut off; to debar.
To cross me from the golden time I look for.

Cross

To make the sign of the cross upon; - followed by the reflexive pronoun; as, he crossed himself.

Cross

To cancel by marking crosses on or over, or drawing a line across; to erase; - usually with out, off, or over; as, to cross out a name.

Cross

To cause to interbreed; - said of different stocks or races; to mix the breed of.

Cross

To lie or be athwart.

Cross

To move or pass from one side to the other, or from place to place; to make a transit; as, to cross from New York to Liverpool.

Cross

To be inconsistent.
Men's actions do not always cross with reason.

Cross

To interbreed, as races; to mix distinct breeds.
If two individuals of distinct races cross, a third is invariably produced different from either.

Cross

A wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece

Cross

Marking consisting of crossing lines

Cross

A cross as an emblem of Christianity; used in heraldry

Cross

Any affliction that causes great suffering;
That is his cross to bear
He bears his afflictions like a crown of thorns

Cross

An organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species;
A mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey

Cross

(genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids

Cross

Travel across or pass over;
The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day

Cross

Meet at a point

Cross

Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of;
What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge
Foil your opponent

Cross

Fold so as to resemble a cross;
She crossed her legs

Cross

To cover or extend over an area or time period;
Rivers traverse the valley floor
The parking lot spans 3 acres
The novel spans three centuries

Cross

Meet and pass;
The trains crossed

Cross

Trace a line through or across;
Cross your `t'

Cross

Breed animals or plants using parents of different races and varieties;
Cross a horse and a donkey
Mendel tried crossbreeding
These species do not interbreed

Cross

Extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis;
Cross members should be all steel
From the transverse hall the stairway ascends gracefully
Transversal vibrations
Transverse colon

Cross

Perversely irritable

Cross

A structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam.
She wore a golden cross around her neck.

Cross

A mark or pattern resembling an X.
Put a cross in the checkbox.

Common Curiosities

Is "Across" symbolic like "Cross"?

Not in the same manner. "Across" conveys breadth or expanse, while "Cross" has various symbolic meanings.

Is "Across" an adjective?

No, "Across" is primarily used as a preposition or adverb.

What does "Across" primarily indicate?

"Across" primarily indicates movement or placement from one side to another.

When should I use "Across" over "Cross"?

Use "Across" to emphasize spanning or covering space, and "Cross" for action or intersection.

Can "Cross" indicate annoyance?

Yes, "Cross" can mean being annoyed or quite angry.

Can "Cross" also be a verb?

Yes, "Cross" as a verb indicates the act of moving from one side to another.

What's a common symbolic representation of "Cross"?

The "Cross" is often associated with the Christian religion as a symbol of faith.

Is "Cross" always about two intersecting lines?

Often, but not always. "Cross" can also mean to traverse or indicate annoyance.

Can "Cross" be used as a noun?

Yes, "Cross" can be a structure or symbol resembling an "X" or a "t".

How do I know when to use "Across" or "Cross" in a sentence?

Context is key. Consider if you're emphasizing spanning space or the action/structure of crossing.

Does "Across" ever function as a noun?

No, "Across" does not function as a noun.

How is "Cross" used in genetics?

In genetics, "cross" refers to the breeding of two varieties.

Can I say "Cross the room"?

While understandable, "walk across the room" is more standard.

Do "Across" and "Cross" have similar origins?

Both have roots in Old English and relate to traversal or intersection.

Which is more versatile, "Across" or "Cross"?

"Cross" is more versatile, functioning as a noun, verb, and adjective, while "Across" is mainly a preposition or adverb.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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