What does crossest mean?
Crossest is the superlative form of the adjective 'cross', which describes someone who is annoyed, irritated, or ill-tempered. It therefore means the angriest or most displeased that a person can be. The word belongs primarily to informal British English, where describing someone as 'cross' has long been a gentle way of saying they are angry without using harsher language. In American English, equivalents such as 'maddest' or 'angriest' are far more common, making 'crossest' feel distinctly regional to many speakers outside Britain. Typical usage appears in everyday conversation and children's literature alike: a parent might describe themselves as 'at my crossest' after repeated provocation, or a narrator might note that a character looked 'the crossest she'd ever been'. Because 'cross' carries a mild, almost affectionate connotation compared with words like 'furious', its superlative likewise suggests visible irritation rather than rage. The word traces back through Old Norse and Latin roots connected to the shape of a cross, though its emotional sense developed separately in English.
adjectiveCrossest is the superlative form of the adjective 'cross', meaning most annoyed or ill-tempered; most angry.
- Most annoyed or ill-tempered (superlative of 'cross').
"He was the crossest I had ever seen him when he discovered the broken window."
"She was at her crossest after being kept waiting for an hour."
"The toddler grew progressively crossest as bedtime approached."
The word 'cross' for 'angry' likely came from the sign of the cross — a gesture that could provoke irritation in the wrong company!
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crossest
As a superlative of 'cross', the word inherits its history from that adjective. 'Cross' entered Middle English from Old Norse 'kross', ultimately derived from Latin 'crux', referring to the gallows-shaped structure. Its application to bad temper developed in English, possibly linked to the gesture of making the sign of the cross, and was well established by the early modern period. Related cognates include 'crucial', 'crucifix', and 'crusade', all stemming from the same Latin root 'crux'.
Word family
Usage notes
Chiefly used in informal British English; in American English 'maddest' or 'angriest' is more common. As a superlative form it typically appears in comparative contexts ('his crossest moment') rather than standalone use.
Don't confuse with
'Crossed' is the past tense of the verb 'cross' (to go over something) or means marked with lines, while 'crossest' is a adjective superlative meaning angriest.