cross-legged

adverb or adjective

ˈkrȯs-ˌle-gəd 

-ˌlā-;

-ˌlegd 

-ˌlāgd

1

: with legs crossed and knees spread wide apart

2

: with one leg placed over and across the other

Examples of cross-legged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Across the courtyard, a similarly sized group gathers in a large warehouse for a yoga and mindfulness session, sitting cross-legged on their mats as another instructor shares tips on staying focused and remaining calm under pressure. — Christopher Clark, NPR, 5 July 2026

The therapist was a round, soft woman who sat cross-legged on a fuzzy couch. — Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

The sight of the lumbering actor wearing track clothes and sitting cross-legged while listening to a soothing relaxation tape on headphones is priceless. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026

Seated cross-legged on the floor, the artisans work with such speed that their fingers blur, selecting, stretching and knotting individual strands into an intricate mesh. — ABC News, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cross-legged

• legged

Kids Definition

cross-legged

adverb

ˈkrȯ-ˈsleg(-ə)d

: with the legs crossed and the knees spread wide