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

If the road is crisscrossed with mountains and valleys, however, the situation changes. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 June 2026

Laura Ingalls Wilder's life crisscrossed the Midwest, from her birth in the big woods of Wisconsin to decades in Missouri—with stops in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and South Dakota in between—so celebrating her legacy with a road trip just feels right. — Alicia Underlee Nelson, Midwest Living, 22 June 2026

Adjective

Its crisscross back straps are adjustable, and the scoop back offers plenty of coverage. — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 18 June 2026

Versions with crisscross straps, gold buckles, or braided details add an artsy, feminine touch to the outfit. — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 14 June 2026

Noun

The opening at the waist was held together by a row of small crisscross laces, finished with a tasseled cord that hung down the front of the skirt. — Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 19 June 2026

Its crisscross back straps are adjustable, and the scoop back offers plenty of coverage. — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 18 June 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
• 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