crisscross

American  

[kris-kraws, -kros] / ˈkrɪsˌkrɔs, -ˌkrɒs /

verb (used with object)

1. to move back and forth over.

   students crisscrossing the field on their way to school.

2. to mark with crossing lines.

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verb (used without object)

1. to proceed or pass back and forth; be arranged in a crisscross pattern.

   The streets in that part of town crisscross confusingly.

adjective

1. Also crisscrossed having many crossing lines, paths, etc.

noun

1. a crisscross mark, pattern, etc.

2. tick-tack-toe.

adverb

1. in a crisscross manner; crosswise.

2. awry; askew.

crisscross British  

/ ˈkrɪsˌkrɒs /

verb

1. to move or cause to move in a crosswise pattern

2. to mark with or consist of a pattern of crossing lines

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adjective

1. (esp of a number of lines) crossing one another in different directions

noun

1. a pattern made of crossing lines

2. a US term for noughts and crosses

adverb

1. in a crosswise manner or pattern

Etymology

Origin of crisscross

First recorded in 1810–20; variant of christcross

Explanation

A crisscross is a pattern of lines that cross or intersect. Your favorite shirt might be printed with pink and purple crisscrosses. You might doodle a crisscross pattern during class or stitch crisscrosses on a quilt. You can also use the word as a verb, meaning to cross in a pattern: "The sidewalks crisscross the city," or "I watched the dogs crisscross the beach." The word dates from the 1800s, from the Middle English crist-cross, or "Christ's cross," which was a mark traditionally made before the alphabet in a schoolbook or primer.

Example Sentences

Shares of the railroad operator, whose rail lines crisscross much of the eastern U.S., were up around 7% after hours on Wednesday.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Use the tines of a fork to flatten and indent crisscross patterns over the tops of each cookie.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025

As they crisscross the globe this season on their way to the 2026 Winter Games in Italy next February, one of their top priorities is keeping illness at bay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

The escalation comes even as U.S. officials crisscross the region imploring leaders to avoid inflaming tensions — a plea evidently ignored.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2024

Blimps crisscross above me and block the stars with their plump forms and silhouette banners.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• cross
• interlaced
• intersecting
• interwoven
• woven