cross-legged

American  

[kraws-leg-id, -legd, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˈlɛg ɪd, -ˈlɛgd, ˈkrɒs- /

adjective

1. having the legs crossed; having one leg placed across the other.

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cross-legged British  

/ -ˈlɛɡd, ˈkrɒsˈlɛɡɪd /

adjective

1. sitting with the legs bent and the knees pointing outwards

2. standing or sitting with one leg crossed over the other

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Other Word Forms

• cross-leggedly adverb
• cross-leggedness noun

Etymology

Origin of cross-legged

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

Though the statue was sitting cross-legged with a laptop, a plaque beneath it read, confusingly, “Always Standing for Freedom.”

From The Wall Street Journal

There Mrs. Clarke sat cross-legged on the floor with Alexander, who was teaching her to play chess.

From Literature

“Mr. Mosley’s nephew is still here?” his mama whispered, eyeing the lump on the bed as she sat down cross-legged on the floor next to Michael.

From Literature

But the scene at LAX was relatively calm as she sat cross-legged wearing a Disney sweatshirt she’d purchased while spending a few days exploring Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s in a seventh-floor hotel suite overlooking Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, sitting cross-legged on the couch, leaning forward and clutching a green pillow in her lap.

From The Wall Street Journal