across

Universal Words adverb, preposition adverb HELPNOTE For the special uses of across in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example come across is in the phrasal verb section at come. 1 from one side to the other side: It's too wide. We can't swim across. * The yard measures about 50 feet across. 2 in a particular direction towards or at sb/sth: When my name was called, he looked across at me. 3 (across from) opposite: There's a school just across from our house. 4 (of an answer in a CROSSWORD) written from side to side: I can't do 3 across. preposition 1 from one side to the other side of sth: He walked across the field. * I drew a line across the page. * A grin spread across her face. * Where's the nearest bridge across the river? 2 on the other side of sth: There's a bank right across the street. 3 on or over a part of the body: He hit him across the face. * It's too tight across the back. 4 in every part of a place, group of people, etc. SYNTHROUGHOUT: Her family is scattered across the country. * This view is common across all sections of the community.