Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To be perceived or understood in a particular way: To give a specific impression or to have one's meaning or character understood by others.
   • To find or encounter something or someone by chance: To discover or meet something or someone unexpectedly.

Usage and Examples

• To be perceived or understood:
  • Despite his nerves, he came across as very confident during the presentation.
  • Her intentions didn't come across clearly in the email, which led to some confusion.
• To find or encounter by chance:
  • I came across this old photo while cleaning out the attic.
  • They came across a charming little café on their walk through the city.

Advanced Usage

• "to come across with (something)": To provide or give something, especially money or information, often after some delay or reluctance.
  • He finally came across with the payment he owed.
• The phrasal verb is often used in the passive sense for the first meaning, describing the impression received, not the act of giving it.

Variants and Related Words

• Come over (phrasal verb): Can be similar to 'come across' when meaning to give a specific impression (e.g., ).
• Encounter (verb): A more formal synonym for meeting or finding something by chance.
• Stumble upon/across (phrasal verb): A close synonym for finding something unexpectedly.

Synonyms

• Seem, appear (for the impression meaning).
• Find, discover, chance upon, stumble upon (for the discovery meaning).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Come over: To visit; or to affect suddenly (e.g., a feeling); or to be perceived as.
  • Why don't you come over for dinner?
  • A wave of dizziness came over her.
• Come upon: A more formal or literary equivalent to 'come across' meaning to find by chance.
  • She came upon the scene of the accident.

Related Idioms

• To come across as (being) something: To project a specific image or quality.
  • It's important to come across as professional in a job interview.
• To come across like a (something): To give a very strong, often negative, impression.
  • His constant bragging comes across like arrogance.

Verb

1. be received or understood
2. communicate the intended meaning or impression
   • He came across very clearly
3. come together
   • I'll probably see you at the meeting
   • How nice to see you again!
4. be perceived in a certain way; make a certain impression
5. find unexpectedly
   • the archeologists chanced upon an old tomb
   • she struck a goldmine
   • The hikers finally struck the main path to the lake