crisscross

/ˈkɹɪsˌkɹɒs/

//ˈkɹɪsˌkɹɒs// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"crisscross" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“crisscross” is uncommon English (frequency #68,132 among 43,570 “C” headwords), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#68,132
frequency rank, English
43,570
“C” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To move back and forth over or through.

Key facts for crisscross
PropertyValue
Headwordcrisscross
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈkɹɪsˌkɹɒs/
Letters10
Frequency rank#68,132
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “crisscross” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). crisscross lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

crisscross is uncommon English at frequency #68,132 among 43,570 “C” headwords, classed as averb, transcribed /ˈkɹɪsˌkɹɒs/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.

The misspelling generator found no plausible variants for crisscross, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English crist-crosse, crists-crosse (“Christ's cross”). The correct English form is crisscross, spelled C-R-I-S-S-C-R-O-S-S.

Definition

  1. 1
    To move back and forth over or through.
  2. 2
    To mark with crossed lines.

Etymology

From Middle English crist-crosse, crists-crosse (“Christ's cross”).

This word in other languages

sillonner(Français)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "crisscross"?
"crisscross" is spelled C-R-I-S-S-C-R-O-S-S. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈkɹɪsˌkɹɒs/.
What does "crisscross" mean?
As a verb, "crisscross" means: To move back and forth over or through.
How do you pronounce "crisscross"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "crisscross" is /ˈkɹɪsˌkɹɒs/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "crisscross"?
From Middle English crist-crosse, crists-crosse (“Christ's cross”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “crisscross”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is C-R-I-S-S-C-R-O-S-S - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈkɹɪsˌkɹɒs/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list