across

The word “across” means from one side of something to the other. In plain terms, moving or reaching from one side of something to the other, or being positioned on the opposite side.

“Across” is pronounced uh-KROS (/əˈkɹɒs/ in IPA).

Here is “across” used in a sentence: “She swam across the river.”

Depending on how it is used, “across” can be a preposition and an adverb.

The word “across” comes from Middle English. From Middle English acros, originally a-croiz — "in the form of a cross" — from Anglo-Norman croiz ("cross").

“Across” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Across” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: from one side of something to the other.

Both describe movement to the other side, but 'across' means passing over a surface from one side to the other, like walking across a road. 'Through' means passing inside or amid something, like walking through a tunnel or through a crowd. Use 'across' for surfaces and 'through' for enclosed or dense spaces.

They often overlap — you can walk across or over a bridge with the same meaning. The difference is emphasis: 'across' stresses going from one side to the other on a flat surface, while 'over' suggests rising above or crossing on top of something, as in climbing over a wall.