across
In addition to the uses shown below, across is used in phrasal verbs such as `come across', `get across', and `put across'.
1 prep If someone or something goes across a place or a boundary, they go from one side of it to the other.
She walked across the floor and lay down on the bed..., He watched Karl run across the street to Tommy., ...an expedition across Africa.
Across is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
Richard stood up and walked across to the window.
2 prep If something is situated or stretched across something else, it is situated or stretched from one side of it to the other.
...the floating bridge across Lake Washington in Seattle..., He scrawled his name across the bill...
Across is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
Trim toenails straight across using nail clippers.
3 prep If something is lying across an object or place, it is resting on it and partly covering it.
(=over)
She found her clothes lying across the chair..., The wind pushed his hair across his face.
4 prep Something that is across something such as a street, river, or area is on the other side of it.
Anyone from the houses across the road could see him..., When I saw you across the room I knew I'd met you before.
Across is also an adverb., adv ADV after v, usu ADV from n
They parked across from the Castro Theatre...
5 adv If you look across at a place, person, or thing, you look towards them.
ADV after v, oft ADV prep
He glanced across at his sleeping wife..., ...breathtaking views across to the hills.
6 prep You use across to say that a particular expression is shown on someone's face.
(=over)
An enormous grin spread across his face...
7 prep If someone hits you across the face or head, they hit you on that part.
Graham hit him across the face with the gun.
8 prep When something happens across a place or organization, it happens equally everywhere within it.
The film `Hook' opens across America on December 11...
9 prep When something happens across a political, religious, or social barrier, it involves people in different groups.
...parties competing across the political spectrum...
→
across the board
→
board
10 adv Across is used in measurements to show the width of something.
amount ADV
This hand-decorated plate measures 30cm across...
