cross-legged

adverb or adjective

ˈkrȯs-ˌle-gəd How to pronounce cross-legged (audio)
-ˌlā-;
-ˌlegd How to pronounce cross-legged (audio)
-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.
The gym was so crowded that fans were three-deep on the baselines and children sat cross-legged in front of the bleachers. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026 In one extreme test involving a wide step and cross-legged maneuver, Cassie failed to recover. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026 As soon as we were settled as a group, a few of us on the bed, a few cross-legged on the carpet, Rosie swore us to secrecy and showed us her pack of birth-control pills, from which three were missing. Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Nellie sat cross-legged on her bed, tugging her knees into her chest. Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 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 Mar. 2026.

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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