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crossways

crossways

4.7
In a place across something so it lies from one side to the other
  • adverb
  • /ˈkrɔːsweɪz/
translation icon : de lado
  • The fallen tree lay crossways on the narrow road, blocking all traffic.

Examples

  • She placed the ribbon crossways over the package to make a neat design.

  • The street was closed where the truck had stopped crossways at the intersection.

  • Look out! The car is coming crossways!

  • The road was blocked crossways by fallen trees.

  • She placed the ribbon crossways over the package to make a neat design.

  • The fallen tree lay crossways on the narrow road, blocking all traffic.

  • The street was closed where the truck had stopped crossways at the intersection.

Synonyms

across
vscrossways
295 1.0

From one side of something to the other side

focuses specifically on a transverse or cross orientation rather than any crossing
sideways
vscrossways
100 2.1

At or toward the side instead of straight ahead

describes a transverse position rather than a lateral facing change
laterally
vscrossways
8 5.0

To the side, moving in a sideways way

is about being across rather than simply moving sideways
transversely
vscrossways
1 6.7

In a way that goes across something at a right angle to its main direction

is like this but can be less strictly at right angles
transversally
vscrossways
1 7.7

Across something at right angles to its main direction

uses the same transverse idea but in broader contexts
sidewise
vscrossways
1 6.6

To the side or at an angle

is concerned with crossing direction rather than angled side-leading movement
sidewards
vscrossways
1 4.6

In a direction that is toward one side rather than forward or backward

implies crossing across an area rather than mere sideways shift
perpendicularly
vscrossways
1 7.3

In a way that is at a right angle to a surface, like straight up from the ground

is broader, allowing cross orientation that may not be exactly ninety degrees
crosswise
vscrossways
4.1

Across something instead of along it, sometimes meaning wrong or not as planned

is similar but used more generally for transverse position or direction
breadthways
vscrossways
  • Archaic
8.1

Across the width of something from one short side to the other

is more general and not limited to the shorter side
broadwise
vscrossways
  • Archaic
8.6

Across the wide side of something rather than along its length

covers transverse direction without stressing breadth specifically
sideward
vscrossways
4.2

To move toward one side

places emphasis on being across or transverse, not just lateral motion
sideway
vscrossways
5.8

In a way that moves toward the side

highlights a transverse position rather than ordinary side motion

Surface Forms

crossways positive

Morphology

crossways = cross + way (transparent) = cross + way

Components 'cross' + 'way' combine in a familiar adverbial pattern (-ways) giving the meaning 'across', which learners can readily infer.

Etymology

Crossways comes from the parts cross ('across') and ways ('paths' or 'roads'), so picture a ribbon or a log lying across a road. That's why when something is crossways it is placed 'across' another thing or goes in a direction that cuts across the usual way.