crisscross

1 of 3

verb

criss·​cross ˈkris-ˌkrȯs 

crisscrossed; crisscrossing; crisscrosses

transitive verb

1

: to mark with intersecting lines

2

: to pass back and forth through or over

intransitive verb

1

: to go or pass back and forth

2

: overlap, intersect

crisscross

2 of 3

adjective

: marked or characterized by crisscrossing

crisscross adverb

crisscross

3 of 3

noun

1

: a crisscross pattern : network

2

: the state of being at cross-purposes

also : a confused state

Examples of crisscross in a Sentence

Verb

Several highways crisscross the state.

shoelaces that crisscross over the top of the shoe

Tourists crisscrossed the lake from morning until night.

Scientists have been crisscrossing the country to collect data.

Noun

She pointed toward the crisscross of trees that had fallen on the path.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Deep water surrounded much of the area, so someone had placed sheets of wood on top of a chain link fence and balanced both on blocks of plastic foam, creating a makeshift barge that could pull piles of debris from shore to shore. Skid loaders crisscrossed the nearby sand. —Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024

While the candidates crisscrossed Michigan, no presidential or vice presidential candidates stopped in the Upper Peninsula. —Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

At the Democratic National Convention in August, Obama wore a look by Monse with a notable crisscross element on the sleeveless top. —Julia Teti, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024

Dua Lipa Dua Lipa sported a black sequined Prada set consisting of a crisscross bra top and maxiskirt. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 19 Oct. 2024

Noun

But Take Note The crisscross of the stylish straps can make the bra hard to hide under clothing if desired. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024

Each hot cross bun is scored with a crisscross or decorated with a cross made of icing. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

obsolete christcross, crisscross mark of a cross

First Known Use

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1614, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crisscross

1 of 2 verb

criss·​cross ˈkris-ˌkrȯs 

1

: to mark with lines that cross each other

2

: to go or cross back and forth

crisscross

2 of 2 noun

: a pattern formed by crossed lines

crisscross adjective or adverb