crossover
|cross-o-ver|
🇺🇸
/ˈkrɑːsoʊvɚ/
🇬🇧
/ˈkrɒsəʊvə/
crossing or blending between categories
Etymology
'crossover' originates from English, formed as a compound of 'cross' + 'over', where 'cross' comes from Old English 'cros' (from Latin 'crux') meaning 'a cross', and 'over' comes from Old English 'ofer' meaning 'above, across'.
'crossover' developed from the two-word phrase 'cross over' (Old/Middle English usage of 'cross' + 'over') into a compound noun/adjective in modern English; the one-word form 'crossover' is recorded from the 20th century onward as uses expanded from literal crossing to figurative senses (e.g., in music and media).
Initially it referred to literal movement 'across' or 'over' something; over time it acquired figurative senses meaning 'a blending or movement between categories' (e.g., genres, markets, series).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an instance in which characters, elements, or features from one series, show, or work appear in another (a meeting or exchange between two distinct works or groups).
The two crime shows had a crossover last season, with detectives from each series appearing together.
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Noun 2
a product, artist, or work that reaches or combines audiences from two or more different genres or markets (a blending or successful move into another genre).
Her album was a crossover between jazz and pop, attracting fans of both styles.
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Noun 3
a type of vehicle that combines elements of different classes (commonly passenger car and sport-utility vehicle) — often used as shorthand for 'crossover SUV'.
They bought a compact crossover for its higher seating position and fuel economy.
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Noun 4
a quick change of direction or dribble move used to evade a defender (especially in basketball, called a 'crossover dribble').
He used a sharp crossover to get past his defender and drive to the basket.
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Adjective 1
describing something that combines elements of two or more different styles, fields, or markets (blended or hybrid).
They released a crossover album featuring classical and electronic musicians.
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Last updated: 2025/12/16 09:21