How to pronounce across
Say it like uh-KRAWS. Across has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KRAWS).
- uh
- KRAWS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Ends with an s: 'uh-KROSS'. Avoid 'acrossed' or 'acrost'.
Across pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KRAWSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of across
American and British speakers say across in essentially the same way: /əˈkrɔs/ in the US and /əˈkrɒs/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-KROS.
What does across mean?
- To, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).“We rowed across the river.”
- On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).“That store is across the street.”
- across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).
- From one side to the other.“she helped the blind man across; the river is half a mile across”
- On the other side.“If we sail off at noon, when will we be across?”
- In a particular direction.“He leaned across for a book.”
- A word that runs horizontally in the completed puzzle grid or its associated clue.“I solved all of the acrosses, but then got stuck on 3 down.”
Where does across come from?
From Middle English acros, from early Middle English a-croiz, a-creoyz, from Anglo-Norman an (“in, on”) + croiz (“in the form of a cross”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- crosswise
- crossways
Words that rhyme with across
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of across.
Questions about saying across
How do you pronounce across?
Say uh-KRAWS. The American pronunciation is /əˈkrɔs/. In British English it is /əˈkrɒs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in across?
Across has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KRAWS). Broken into parts: uh · KRAWS.
Do Americans and Brits say across the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈkrɔs/ and the British form is /əˈkrɒs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.