cross-legged

adverb or adjective

ˈkrȯs-ˌle-gəd How to pronounce cross-legged (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His daughter sat cross-legged in front of her father on the board. Leanne Shapton, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025 The agent wrote that Huerta was yelling at and taunting officers and later sat cross-legged in front of a vehicle gate to the location where law enforcement authorities were serving a search warrant. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 Listen to the acceptance speeches on Sunday night: Dollars to donuts, someone will mention a seminal Tony moment, sitting cross-legged as a kid in front of a screen in Iowa, or wherever, and dreaming of picking up a Tony at Radio City Musical Hall. Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025 Sitting cross-legged on the floor while her scalp was parted and pulled by a cousin, an auntie, someone who loved her. Ruhama Wolle, Vogue, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cross-legged

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cross-legged was circa 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cross-legged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-legged. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cross-legged

adverb
ˈkrȯ-ˈsleg(-ə)d
: with the legs crossed and the knees spread wide
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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