across

1 preposition

1 going, looking etc from one side of a space, area, or line to the other side: flying across the Atlantic | We gazed across the valley. | Would you like me to help you across the road? (=help you to cross it)

2 reaching or spreading from one side of an area to the other: a deep crack across the ceiling | the only bridge across the river | Slowly a smile spread across her face. | Do you think this shirt is too tight across the shoulders? | right across: The damn fool has parked right across the entrance to the drive way.

3 on or towards the opposite side of something: My best friend lives across the road. | Jim yelled across the street to his son. | just across: He knew that just across the border lay freedom. | across sth from: Across the street from where we're standing, you can see the old churchyard.

4 in every part of a country, organization etc: a TV series that became popular across five continents | right across: Teachers are expected to teach a range of subjects right across the curriculum.

2 adverb

1 from one side of something to the other: There isn't a bridge. We'll have to swim across. | We'd got halfway across before Philip realized he'd left his money at home.

2 if you go, look, shout etc across to someone, you go, look or shout across an area to the place where they are: There's Brendan. Why don't you go across and say hello? | I'm just taking this food across to Sarah. Won't be long. | across to/at: The referee looked across at his linesman before awarding the penalty.

3 10 feet/10 miles etc across if something is 10 feet etc across, that is how wide it is: At its widest point the river is 2 km across.

4 across from opposite something or someone: a woman sitting across from me on the train