# crossover

/ˈkɹɔˌsoʊvɝ/ (US) · /kɹˈɒsəʊvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crossover
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. mixing styles or genres

noun · CEFR B2

a mix of different styles, such as a song that is both country and pop, or a movie that combines two different stories.

For teachers: the blending of multiple styles, genres, or fictional universes to appeal to a broader audience or create a novel narrative.

- The new film is a crossover between the superhero and horror genres.
- The artist achieved massive crossover success when her folk album began receiving heavy rotation on mainstream pop radio stations.

### 2. a type of car

noun · CEFR B2

a car that looks like a large SUV but is built using the parts of a smaller passenger car.

For teachers: a vehicle built on a unibody passenger car platform that incorporates features of a sport utility vehicle.

- They bought a crossover because it has more space than a car but is easier to park than a truck.
- Market trends indicate a significant shift in consumer preference from traditional sedans toward compact crossovers with better fuel efficiency.

### 4. physical crossing point

noun · CEFR B2

a place where one path, wire, or track crosses over another.

For teachers: a physical point or structure where two paths, tracks, or electrical circuits intersect or exchange positions.

- The train slowed down as it reached the crossover between the two tracks.
- Engineers designed a pedestrian crossover to ensure students could safely reach the campus from the residential district.

### 5. computing/electrical cable

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of cable used to connect two similar devices directly to each other.

For teachers: referring to an electrical or networking cable where specific internal wires are swapped to allow direct communication between similar hardware.

- You need a crossover cable to connect these two old computers together.
- Before the advent of auto-MDIX technology, a crossover cable was essential for linking two network switches without a dedicated uplink port.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun.

## Examples

- The new car is a crossover between a truck and a sedan.
- The athlete's successful crossover from professional basketball to acting surprised many critics who doubted his range.
- In modern marketing, a successful crossover occurs when a niche product gains mainstream traction without alienating its original core demographic through perceived commercialisation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.