x

¹

[ eks ]

verb (used with object)

xed or xd [ekst],xing or xing [ek, -sing].

1. to cross out or mark with or as if with an x (often followed by out ):

   to x out an error.

2. to indicate choice, as on a ballot or examination (often followed by in ):

   to x in the candidate of your choice.

X

²

or x

[ eks ]

noun

, plural X's or Xs, x's or xs.

1. the 24th letter of the English alphabet, a consonant.
2. any spoken sound or combination of sounds represented by the letter X or x, as in xylene, box, or exact.
3. something having the shape of an X .
4. a written or printed representation of the letter X or x.
5. a device, as a printer's type, for reproducing the letter X or x.

x

³

abbreviation for

1. ex ¹( def 1 ).
2. excess.
3. Stock Exchange.
   1. (of stock trading) ex dividend.
   2. (of bond trading) ex interest.
4. experimental.
5. extra.

X

⁴

abbreviation for

1. experimental.
2. extra.
3. extraordinary.

x

⁵

Symbol.

1. an unknown quantity or a variable.
2. 1. the letter x used to replace or obscure a gender morpheme, as to avoid the -o or -a inflection of a word borrowed from Spanish or the sequence m-e-n in the word women . See Latinx, womxn.
   2. the letter x indicating a variable and used to hold a place in a word or abbreviation that can be occupied by another letter, as in CxO to account for a range of specialized executive positions in a corporation, for example CEO , CFO , and COO .
3. (used at the end of letters, telegrams, etc., to indicate a kiss.)
4. (used to indicate multiplication) times:

   8 × 8=64.

5. (used between figures indicating dimensions) by:

   3″ × 4″ (read: “three by four inches”);

   3″ × 4″ × 5″ (read: “three by four by five inches”).

6. power of magnification:

   a 50x telescope.

7. (used as a signature by an illiterate person.)
8. cross.
9. crossed with.
10. (used to indicate a particular place or point on a map or diagram):

    X marks the spot where the pirates' treasure is buried.

11. out of; foaled by:

    a colt by Flag-a-way x Merrylegs.

12. (used to indicate choice, as on a ballot, examination, etc.)
13. (used to indicate an error or incorrect answer, as on a test.)
14. Mathematics. (in Cartesian coordinates) the x-axis.
15. Chess. captures.
16. a person, thing, agency, factor, etc., of unknown identity:

    I feel sorry for poor Mr. X, the man she will ultimately marry.

X

⁶

Symbol.

1. the 24th in order or in a series.
2. (sometimes lowercase) the Roman numeral for 10. Compare Roman numerals.
3. Christ.
4. Christian.
5. cross.
6. Electricity. reactance ( def 1 ).
7. Slang. a ten-dollar bill.
8. (no longer in official use by the Motion Picture Association of America) a rating for movies with subject matter that is suitable for adults only.
9. (in Great Britain) a designation for a film recommended for adults only. Compare A ³( def 10 ), AA ²( def 5 ), U ⁵( def 6 ).
10. a person, thing, agency, factor, etc., of unknown identity.
11. Chemistry. (formerly) xenon.

X

¹

symbol for

1. formerly, in Britain
   1. indicating a film that may not be publicly shown to anyone under 18. Since 1982 replaced by symbol 18
   2. ( as modifier )

      an X film

2. denoting any unknown, unspecified, or variable factor, number, person, or thing
3. (on letters, cards, etc) denoting a kiss
4. (on ballot papers, etc) indicating choice
5. (on examination papers, etc) indicating error
6. for Christ; Christian
7. Roman numeral ten See Roman numerals

x

²

symbol for

1. commerce banking finance ex
2. maths the x- axis or a coordinate measured along the x- axis in a Cartesian coordinate system
3. an algebraic variable

x

³

/ ɛks /

noun

1. the 24th letter and 19th consonant of the modern English alphabet
2. a speech sound sequence represented by this letter, in English pronounced as ks or gz or, in initial position, z, as in xylophone

Word History and Origins

Origin of x¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of x¹

(sense 6) from the form of the Greek letter khi (Χ), first letter of Khristos Christ

Example Sentences

Brandberg, the country's gender equality minister, is said to have posted on X in 2020, saying she has the "world's weirdest phobia of bananas".

From BBC

Ben Collins, a former NBC News journalist who is chief executive of The Onion’s parent company, said on X: “We're planning on making a very stupid website.”

From BBC

Musk responded to his new job by posting on X that the “merch” will be great.

From Salon

X, formerly known as Twitter, served as an online megaphone for Musk, who constantly shared his support for Trump during the election season.

From Los Angeles Times

TV critic Scott Bryan, from the BBC's Must Watch podcast, has previously said on X the show had "been a training ground for many actors".

From BBC

Related Words

• impress
• seal