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

Musk chimed in about the potential sale of the Trump-averse network after being alerted to it on X, a social media company he also owns, by Donald Trump Jr.

From Salon

"Do you sell cars?" was the response on X, from owner Elon Musk, who is also the boss of electric car firm Tesla.

From BBC

The Serb posted a video on X of clips of the two, jokingly titled: "He never liked retirement anyway."

From BBC

Earlier this month, psychedelic investor Christian Angermayer said on X that many attendees at a psychedelics event in San Francisco were “pro-Trump, some of them very openly” which “would have been impossible a year ago.”

From Salon

On the social media site X, the department wrote:

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• impress
• seal