cross-word

A boy solves a cross-word puzzle on a sunny afternoon.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A puzzle in which words are filled into a grid: "cross-word" refers to a word puzzle in the form of a square or rectangular grid of white and black squares, where words are placed horizontally and vertically based on clues. (Note: This is a specific type of puzzle, not a general term for any word game.)

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She enjoys solving a cross-word every morning with her coffee. (She does a word puzzle grid daily.)
  • The newspaper's cross-word is notoriously difficult on Sundays. (The puzzle in the paper is hard.)

Advanced Usage

• "cross-word puzzle": The full name for the puzzle; "cross-word" is a shortened form.
  • He bought a book of cross-word puzzles for the train ride. (He purchased a collection of these puzzles.)

Variants and Related Words

• Crossword (n): Another common spelling, often used interchangeably with "cross-word."
  • The crossword in today's paper was challenging. (The same puzzle type.)

Synonyms

• Word puzzle: A broad category including cross-words.
• Grid puzzle: A puzzle based on a grid structure.

Related Idioms

• (No idiomatic expressions directly use "cross-word" as a standalone word; it is primarily a noun for the puzzle itself.)