crisscross

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

Examples of crisscross in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Distilleries are spread across several regions — Northern, Central, Western, Louisville, Lexington and Bardstown — which is why most visitors pick one area and work outward rather than trying to crisscross the state. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026

Each cluster has its own character, and the official site recommends focusing on one region at a time rather than trying to crisscross the state. —Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

Textile straps crisscross the top, giving the sandals an elegant look. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026

Guests trade the honking of cars for the splash of passing boats and ferries that crisscross in front of this former palace. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete christcross, crisscross mark of a cross

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for crisscross

• across
• backcross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas
• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• menelaus
• blas

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