across

Everyday

1. Across means from one side to the other side: you walk across the street. tree →
2. Across means on the other side: the shop across the road. tree →
3. Across tells how wide something is: «2 meters across». tree →
4. In a crossword, «across» clues go from left to right. tree →

In the lessons

a distance from side to side, the width of a shape, or rows in a grid; in everyday safety, crossing roads; phrases «across from», «come across» (find by chance), «across the country», «all across»

Examples

• The pool is 25 meters across. tree →
• He swims across the lake twice. tree →
• There are 6 tiles across and 4 down. tree →
• The bridge goes across a river 80 feet wide. tree →
• Look both ways before you walk across the road. tree →
• The bakery is across from the school. tree →
• I came across an old photo. tree →
• Write the word for 5 across. tree →
• Birds fly across the sky. tree →
• The circle is 10 cm across. tree →

Note

Often gives a width or a length to use; «across and down» in a grid means rows × columns. Trap: going across and back is twice the distance. A circle's «across» is its diameter. Spelled with one c and two s: «across», not «accross».

In Jewish tradition

a distance from side to side, the width of a shape, or rows in a grid; in everyday safety, crossing roads; phrases «across from», «come across» (find by chance), «across the country», «all across»

Examples

• Such diagrams are often arranged so that the letter א Alef is across from ל Lamed, spelling the name אֵל El, God. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
• So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold; and he drew chains of gold across the wall before the Sanctuary; and he overlaid it with gold. (Prophets 1KI.6.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• And, behold, there came a great wind from across the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' (Writings JOB.1.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Often gives a width or a length to use; «across and down» in a grid means rows × columns. Trap: going across and back is twice the distance. A circle's «across» is its diameter. Spelled with one c and two s: «across», not «accross».