# cross

> English word · Noun · IPA /kɹɒs/ · frequency rank #1,073

## Definitions
1. A geometrical figure consisting of two straight lines or bars intersecting each other such that at least one of them is bisected by the other.
2. Any geometric figure having this or a similar shape, such as a cross of Lorraine or a Maltese cross.
3. A wooden post with a perpendicular beam attached and used (especially in the Roman Empire) to execute criminals (by crucifixion).
4. Alternative letter-case form of Cross (“the Crucifix, the cross on which Christ was crucified”).
5. A hand gesture made in imitation of the shape of the Cross; sign of the cross.
6. Any representation of the crucifix, as in religious architecture, burial markers, jewelry, etc.
7. A difficult situation that must be endured.
8. The act of going across; the act of passing from one side to the other
9. An animal or plant produced by crossbreeding or cross-fertilization.
10. A hybrid of any kind.
11. A hook thrown over the opponent's punch.
12. A pass in which the ball is kicked from a side of the pitch to a position close to the opponent’s goal.
13. A place where roads intersect and lead off in four directions; a crossroad (common in UK and Irish place names such as Gerrards Cross).
14. A monument that marks such a place. (Also common in UK or Irish place names such as Charing Cross)
15. A coin stamped with the figure of a cross, or that side of such a piece on which the cross is stamped; hence, money in general.
16. Church lands.
17. A line across or through another line.
18. An instrument for laying of offsets perpendicular to the main course.
19. A pipe-fitting with four branches whose axes usually form a right angle.
20. Four edge cubies of one side that are in their right places, forming the shape of a cross.
21. The thirty-sixth Lenormand card.
22. A betrayal; dishonest practices, especially deliberately losing a sporting contest.
23. Crossfire.

## Etymology
From Middle English cross, cros, from Old English cros (“rood, cross”), from Old Norse kross, from Old Irish cros, from Latin crux (crucī). In this sense displaced native Middle English rode, from Old English rōd (“cross”); see English rood. Compare Welsh croes, Irish crois.
The sense of "two intersecting lines drawn or cut on a surface; two lines intersecting at right angles" without regard to religious signification develops from the late 14th century.
Cognates
*Icelandic kross (“cross”)
*Faroese krossur (“cross”)
*Norwegian Nynorsk kross, kors (“cross”)
*Danish kors (“cross”)
*Swedish kors (“cross”)
*North Frisian kross, korss (“cross”)
*Saterland Frisian Krjuus, Kjus (“cross”)
*West Frisian krús (“cross”)
*Dutch kruis (“cross”)
*German Low German Krüüz (“cross”)
*German Kreuz (“cross”)

## Easily confused with
- **CSS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-css)
- **CRS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crs)
- **crow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crow)
- **cuss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-cuss)
- **crowd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crowd)
- **crown** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crown)
- **crush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crush)
- **crust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crust)
- **crows** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crows)
- **crowds** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crowds)
- **crowns** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crowns)
- **crosse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crosse)
- **crusts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crusts)
- **crossed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crossed)
- **crosses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cross-vs-crosses)
- **cos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cos-vs-cross)
- **CRO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cro-vs-cross)
- **cost** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cost-vs-cross)
- **cops** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cops-vs-cross)
- **crop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crop-vs-cross)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ccross`, `corss`, `cros`, `crross`, `crsos`, `rcoss`

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