Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

crossfire

/ˈkɹɔːsfaɪɹ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.08 in modern English

Syllables: cross-fire
IPA: /ˈkɹɔːsfaɪɹ/

14

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An arrangement of two or more weapons so each can fire diagonally at something in front of a line between them.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The danger to a third party passing between two belligerents firing at one another.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The danger to a third party passing between a gunman and his target.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A heated confrontation between opposing factions.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"The two factions were either side of the road. A civilian lorry was caught in the crossfire and became collateral damage"
"A woman who was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting in north London on Tuesday evening was not the intended target, police have said."

Etymology

Etymology tree English cross- Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥ Proto-Germanic *fōr Proto-West Germanic *fuir Old English fȳr Middle English fyr English fire English crossfire From cross- + fire.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈkɹɔːsfaɪɹ/
British English: /ˈkɹɒsfaɪə/

Usage

Inflected Forms

crossfires (plural)

Questions

How do you pronounce crossfire?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkɹɔːsfaɪɹ/.
What does crossfire mean?: An arrangement of two or more weapons so each can fire diagonally at something in front of a line between them.
Where does crossfire come from?: Etymology tree English cross- Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥ Proto-Germanic *fōr Proto-West Germanic *fuir Old English fȳr Middle English fyr English fire English crossfire From cross- + fire.

How to pronounce crossfire

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “crossfire”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkɹɔːsfaɪɹ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “crossfire”.
Repeat and practice — Say “crossfire” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.