x
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to cross out or mark with or as if with an x (often followed byout ).
to x out an error.
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to indicate choice, as on a ballot or examination (often followed byin ).
to x in the candidate of your choice.
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an unknown quantity or a variable.
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the letter x used to replace or obscure a gender morpheme, as to avoid the -o or -a inflection of a word borrowed from Spanish or the sequence m-e-n in the word women . See Latinx, womxn.
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the letter x indicating a variable and used to hold a place in a word or abbreviation that can be occupied by another letter, as in CxO to account for a range of specialized executive positions in a corporation, for example CEO , CFO , and COO .
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(used at the end of letters, telegrams, etc., to indicate a kiss.)
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(used to indicate multiplication) times.
8 × 8=64.
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(used between figures indicating dimensions) by.
3″ × 4″ (read: “three by four inches”);
3″ × 4″ × 5″ (read: “three by four by five inches”).
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power of magnification.
a 50x telescope.
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(used as a signature by an illiterate person.)
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cross.
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crossed with.
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(used to indicate a particular place or point on a map or diagram).
X marks the spot where the pirates' treasure is buried.
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out of; foaled by.
a colt by Flag-a-way x Merrylegs.
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(used to indicate choice, as on a ballot, examination, etc.)
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(used to indicate an error or incorrect answer, as on a test.)
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Mathematics. (in Cartesian coordinates) the x-axis.
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Chess. captures.
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a person, thing, agency, factor, etc., of unknown identity.
I feel sorry for poor Mr. X, the man she will ultimately marry.
noun
plural
X's, Xs, x's, xs-
the 24th letter of the English alphabet, a consonant.
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any spoken sound or combination of sounds represented by the letter X or x, as in xylene, box, or exact.
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something having the shape of an X .
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a written or printed representation of the letter X or x.
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a device, as a printer's type, for reproducing the letter X or x.
abbreviation
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experimental.
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extra.
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extraordinary.
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the 24th in order or in a series.
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(sometimes lowercase) the Roman numeral for 10.
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Christ.
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Christian.
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cross.
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Electricity. reactance.
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Slang. a ten-dollar bill.
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(no longer in official use by the Motion Picture Association of America) a rating for movies with subject matter that is suitable for adults only.
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(in Great Britain) a designation for a film recommended for adults only.
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a person, thing, agency, factor, etc., of unknown identity.
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Chemistry. (formerly) xenon.
symbol
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indicating a film that may not be publicly shown to anyone under 18. Since 1982 replaced by symbol 18
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( as modifier )
an X film
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denoting any unknown, unspecified, or variable factor, number, person, or thing
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(on letters, cards, etc) denoting a kiss
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(on ballot papers, etc) indicating choice
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(on examination papers, etc) indicating error
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for Christ; Christian
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ten See Roman numerals
symbol
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commerce banking finance ex
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maths the x- axis or a coordinate measured along the x- axis in a Cartesian coordinate system
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an algebraic variable
noun
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the 24th letter and 19th consonant of the modern English alphabet
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a speech sound sequence represented by this letter, in English pronounced as ks or gz or, in initial position, z, as in xylophone
Etymology
Origin of x
First recorded in 1840–50
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.
“You have to create x dollars of value for the world and you have to capture y% of x. And in most cases y equals 0.”
From Forbes • Nov. 9, 2014
Ep. x. 97-98.845.Euseb. lib. iii.846.There is a description of this earthquake in Merivale's Hist. of the Romans, vol. viii. pp. 155-156.
From History of European Morals From Augustus to Charlemagne (Vol. 1 of 2) by Lecky, William Edward Hartpole
The ix., x., and xi. of Romans form the prophetic, or "dispensational," section of that great epistle, and was written for the special instruction of Gentile believers in the "mystery" of God with Israel.
From The History of the Ten "Lost" Tribes Anglo-Israelism Examined by Baron, David
Allusions to the Assyrian oppression are found in Isa. x. 5-15, xiv. 24-27, xvii. 12-14; and to internal Judaean intrigues perhaps in Isa. xxii. 15-18, xxix.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various
Another is figured in Chemnitz x. tab..150. fig.
From Zoological Illustrations, Volume I or Original Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, or Interesting Animals by Swainson, William
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.