English Reference
Noun

crossfire

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈkɹɔsˌfaɪɹ/ UK /kɹˈɒsfaɪə/ cross·fire Military

n.gunfire coming from two or more different directions that crosses over an area. It also describes a situation where you are caught between two groups who are arguing.

n.gunfire from two or more positions crossing the same area. Often used metaphorically to describe a situation where a neutral party is affected by a conflict between two opposing sides.


SIMPLE

The reporter was caught in the crossfire during the protest.

CONTEXTUAL

Innocent civilians often suffer the most when they are trapped in the crossfire of a local conflict.

COMPLEX

The junior manager found himself in the crossfire of a bitter dispute between the CEO and the board of directors, making his position increasingly untenable.

Usage

Commonly used in the idiomatic phrase 'caught in the crossfire'.

The big reason was because he got shot in the shoulder in gang crossfire.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

From cross- + fire.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated