Cross (verb): to go or move from one side to the other side of something. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing.
Cross (noun): a mark or structure in the shape of ×, formed by two lines intersecting at right angles; also a hybrid between two different breeds or species.
Cross (adjective): (British English, informal) angry, annoyed, or irritated. She was cross with him for arriving late.
What Does Cross Mean?
Cross is one of the oldest and most versatile words in English, traceable to Old Norse kross and Latin crux, meaning a stake or instrument of crucifixion. It entered Old English around the 10th century and quickly expanded its range of meanings far beyond the religious context. Over time it gave rise to dozens of compound words and phrases — from crossroads and cross-country to double-cross and hot cross bun — making it an unusually productive root in the language.
The adjective sense of "irritated" developed in the 17th century, most likely from the older idea of being "contrary" or working "at cross purposes" with someone. This use is particularly common in British and Australian English; American speakers tend to prefer annoyed or angry in the same contexts. Understanding all three parts of speech — and knowing which register each belongs to — is an important step in sounding natural in British English.
Note that as a verb cross is neutral and formal enough for all registers, while as an adjective it leans informal. The noun covers a wide range of meanings depending on context: a religious symbol, a genetic hybrid, a sporting delivery, or simply a tick-like mark on a piece of paper. See Cambridge Dictionary's full entry on “cross” for more examples.
Example Sentences by CEFR Level
| Sentence | Level & note |
|---|---|
| Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. | A2 — basic imperative, verb |
| She was cross with her brother because he had eaten her biscuits. | B1 — adjective, informal British English |
| The two rivers cross just north of the city centre. | B1 — verb, intransitive, geography context |
| The charity's logo is a simple red cross on a white background. | B2 — noun, symbolic/institutional use |
| Scientists crossed the domestic tomato with a wild variety to produce a disease-resistant strain. | C1 — verb, scientific register, hybrid meaning |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| cross the road / street | Always cross the road at a designated crossing. |
| cross the border | They crossed the border at dawn to avoid queues. |
| cross the finish line | She crossed the finish line three seconds ahead of the field. |
| feel / get cross | He got cross when the train was cancelled again. |
| be cross with someone | Mum was cross with us for leaving mud on the carpet. |
| cross your fingers | Cross your fingers — the results are out tomorrow! |
| cross your mind | It never crossed my mind that she might refuse. |
| double-cross | He double-crossed his business partner and kept the profits. |
| hot cross bun | Hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. |
| cross-reference | Please cross-reference the figures with the original report. |
Usage Notes
- Register: As a verb and noun, cross is suitable for all registers — formal, academic, and informal. As an adjective meaning "annoyed", it is informal and primarily British; in formal writing use irritated, annoyed, or displeased instead.
- British vs. American English: The adjective use ("I'm cross with you") is distinctly British. American English speakers generally say "I'm annoyed/angry with you." Both forms are understood internationally, but only the British form sounds natural in UK contexts.
- Preposition choice: When cross is an adjective, use with for a person ("cross with him") and about for a situation ("cross about the delay"). Using at is also heard but slightly less standard in British English.
- Compound words: Cross forms dozens of productive compounds: crossroads, crossword, cross-country, cross-cultural, crossfire. These are all one concept, not the literal act of crossing a road.
- Sport: In football (soccer), a cross is a pass delivered from a wide position into the penalty area. "He delivered a perfect cross from the right wing." This is noun use, specialist register.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I am cross at you for lying to me.
I am cross with you for lying to me. (use with for a person, not at)
She crossed to the other side of road.
She crossed to the other side of the road. (do not omit the article the)
He was very cross because his team loosed.
He was very cross because his team lost. (lost is the past tense of lose, not loosed)
Related Words
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Frequently Asked Questions about “cross”
What does cross mean in English?
Cross has three main meanings. As a verb it means to go from one side to the other ('cross the road'). As a noun it refers to a shape formed by two lines intersecting at right angles, or to any cross-shaped object or symbol. As an adjective (more common in British English) it means annoyed or irritated: 'She was cross with him for being late.'
What is the difference between cross and angry?
Both words describe displeasure, but cross is typically milder and more informal. It is especially common in British English when speaking about everyday frustrations: 'The teacher was cross with the noisy class.' Angry suggests a stronger or more intense emotion. Cross is also more commonly used with children: 'Don't make Mummy cross.'
How do you use cross as a verb?
As a verb, cross means to move from one side to the other: 'Cross the road at the traffic lights.' It can also mean to intersect ('The two paths cross here'), to draw a line through something ('Cross out the wrong answer'), or to cause two different things to breed ('The plant was crossed with a hardier variety').
What is a pedestrian crossing?
A pedestrian crossing (also called a crosswalk in American English) is a marked section of road where pedestrians have the right of way to cross safely. Common types in the UK include zebra crossings (black-and-white stripes, no traffic lights) and pelican crossings (controlled by push-button traffic lights). The verb 'cross' is used with these: 'Always cross at a zebra crossing.'
What does it mean to keep your fingers crossed?
'Keep your fingers crossed' is a common British idiom meaning to hope for a good outcome. You literally overlap your index finger over your middle finger as a superstitious gesture for luck. It is used informally: 'I've got my interview tomorrow — keep your fingers crossed for me!'
What is the noun form of cross?
As a noun, cross can refer to the × or + symbol, a crucifix or Christian cross, a hybrid between two different breeds or species ('a cross between a labrador and a poodle'), or in football, a pass delivered from the wing into the penalty area. The plural is 'crosses'.
What are common collocations with cross?
Common collocations include: cross the road / border / finish line (verb); red cross, hot cross bun, double cross (noun compounds); cross-country, cross-cultural, cross-reference (adjective/compound); and feel cross, get cross, be cross with someone (adjective use). Learning these collocations helps you use cross naturally.
What is the origin of the word cross?
Cross derives from Old Norse 'kross' and Old Irish 'cros', which in turn come from Latin 'crux' (a stake or cross used for crucifixion). The word entered Old English around the 10th century. The adjective sense of 'irritated' developed later in the 17th century, probably from the idea of being contrary or at cross-purposes with someone.
Is cross formal or informal?
This depends on the sense. As a verb ('cross the road') and noun ('the Red Cross'), cross is neutral and used in all registers. As an adjective meaning angry, cross is informal and more common in British than American English. In formal writing, prefer 'annoyed', 'irritated', or 'displeased' instead.
How can I practise using cross in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise cross in context, choosing between its verb, noun, and adjective meanings. The Flash Cards tool is also useful for reviewing cross alongside related words such as across, crossing, crossroads, and double-cross. Reading British news or fiction will also show you how native speakers use cross naturally.