# across

> English word · Preposition · IPA /əˈkɹɒs/ · frequency rank #556

## Definitions
1. To, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
2. On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
3. across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).
4. From one side to the other within (a space being traversed).
5. At or near the far end of (a space).
6. Spanning.
7. Throughout.
8. So as to intersect or pass through or over at an angle.
9. In possession of full, up-to-date information about; abreast of.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
▲
Proto-Indo-European *h₁en-
Proto-Indo-European *h₁en-
Proto-Indo-European *h₁én
Proto-Italic *en
Old Latin en
Latin in
Old French en
Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der.?
Latin crux
Old French crois
Anglo-Norman an croizbor.
Middle English acros
English across
From Middle English acros, from early Middle English a-croiz, a-creoyz, from Anglo-Norman an (“in, on”) + croiz (“in the form of a cross”). More at cross. By surface analysis, a- + cross.

## Easily confused with
- **arose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/across-vs-arose)
- **arrows** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/across-vs-arrows)
- **aprons** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/across-vs-aprons)
- **actress** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/across-vs-actress)
- **acres** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/acres-vs-across)
- **access** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/access-vs-across)

## Common misspellings (7)
`accross`, `acorss`, `acros`, `acrross`, `acrsos`, `arcoss`, `caross`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/across