across

[uh-kraws, uh-kros]

preposition

1. from one side to the other of.

   a bridge across a river.

2. on or to the other side of; beyond.

   across the sea.

3. into contact with; into the presence of, usually by accident.

   to come across an old friend; to run across a first edition of Byron.

4. crosswise of or transversely to the length of something; athwart.

   coats across the bed; straddled across the boundary line.

adverb

1. from one side to another.

2. on the other side.

   We'll soon be across.

3. crosswise; transversely.

   with arms across.

4. so as to be understood or learned.

   He couldn't get the idea across to the class.

5. into a desired or successful state.

   to put a business deal across.

adjective

1. being in a crossed or transverse position; crosswise.

   an across pattern of supporting beams.

across

/ əˈkrɒs /

preposition

1. from one side to the other side of

2. on or at the other side of

3. so as to transcend boundaries or barriers

   people united across borders by religion and history

   the study of linguistics across cultures

4. fully informed about; dealing with

   we are across this problem

adverb

1. from one side to the other

2. on or to the other side

Word History and Origins

Origin of across¹

First recorded in 1470–80; a- ¹ + cross

Word History and Origins

Origin of across¹

C13: on croice, acros, from Old French a croix crosswise

Idioms and Phrases

• come across
• cut across
• get across
• put across
• run across

Example Sentences

Pakistan had never beaten Australia in 32 previous attempts across formats.

From BBC

Legend also casts it as the final resting place of pilgrims from across the world seeking salvation.

From BBC

The debris, usually bits of rock or ice, hits the Earth's atmosphere and burns up because of the friction, sending light streaks across the night sky.

From BBC

These restrictions on social media content come a week after internet and telecommunications services were cut off across the country for two days.

From BBC

The psychologist said on Wednesday: "I find it unlikely that, across prisons, staff are making things up."

From BBC

Related Words

• crossways 
• crosswise 
• transversely www.thesaurus.com