crisscross
Americanverb (used with object)
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to move back and forth over.
students crisscrossing the field on their way to school.
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to mark with crossing lines.
verb (used without object)
adjective
noun
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a crisscross mark, pattern, etc.
adverb
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in a crisscross manner; crosswise.
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awry; askew.
verb
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to move or cause to move in a crosswise pattern
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to mark with or consist of a pattern of crossing lines
adjective
noun
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a pattern made of crossing lines
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a US term for noughts and crosses
adverb
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
One day it will crisscross continents that don’t yet exist, coming to rest in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2024
More than 250,000 hauliers crisscross the nation's roads keeping the UK economy running.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2024
When she came back downstairs, Chicken was sitting crisscross by the living room window.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
