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

The crowd celebrating Magyar's victory was full of young people, many first-time voters, who said Magyar earned their support by crisscrossing the country and addressing a wide range of domestic problems. —Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 13 Apr. 2026

Plus, the crisscrossing mow lines make the lawn look especially pleasing to the eye. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Use a manual rake to make a crisscross pattern, pushing deeply into the ground to loosen the thatch. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

Flatten each ball with a fork, making a crisscross pattern. —CBS News, 12 Feb. 2026

Noun

Nearby, men drill the girders of a bridge; the iron beams make bold crisscrosses, moving the eye diagonally. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

Use a manual rake to make a crisscross pattern, pushing deeply into the ground to loosen the thatch. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for crisscross

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

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