cross-legged

adverb or adjective

ˈkrȯs-ˌle-gəd How to pronounce cross-legged (audio)
-ˌlā-;
-ˌlegd How to pronounce cross-legged (audio)
-ˌlāgd
1
: with legs crossed and knees spread wide apart
2
: with one leg placed over and across the other

Examples of cross-legged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The therapist was a round, soft woman who sat cross-legged on a fuzzy couch. — Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 Cross one leg over the other and lower yourself to a sitting cross-legged position on the floor. — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 28 May 2026 Nearby, a group of men sat cross-legged on the ground in a circle, shielding their eyes from errant flakes as one of them hammered chunks off a large clump of gum. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 Etebari’s grandfather would have insisted on putting a cloth on the floor and having everyone sit cross-legged to eat, as is the custom in Iran. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cross-legged

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cross-legged was circa 1530

Rhymes for cross-legged

See All Rhymes for cross-legged

Browse Nearby Words

cross-leaved heath
cross-legged
crosslegs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cross-legged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-legged. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cross-legged

adverb
ˈkrȯ-ˈsleg(-ə)d
: with the legs crossed and the knees spread wide
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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