cruise

 
Pronunciation: /kruːz/

verb

[no object, with adverbial]
  • 1sail about in an area without a precise destination, especially for pleasure: they were cruising off the California coast [with object]: she cruised the canals of France in a barge
  • take a holiday on a ship or boat following a predetermined course, usually calling in at several places.
  • travel or move slowly around without a specific destination in mind: a police van cruised past us [with object]: teenagers were aimlessly cruising the mall
  • [no object] informal wander about a place in search of a casual sexual partner: he spends his time cruising and just hanging out in New Orleans [with object]: he cruised the gay bars of Los Angeles
  • [with object] informal walk past and assess (a potential sexual partner): he was cruising a pair of sailors
  • 2(of a motor vehicle or aircraft) travel smoothly at a moderate or economical speed: we sit in a jet, cruising at some 30,000 ft
  • achieve an objective with ease, especially in sport: Millwall cruised to a 2-0 win over Leicester

noun

  • a voyage on a ship or boat taken for pleasure or as a holiday and usually calling in at several places: a cruise down the Nile [as modifier]: a cruise liner

Phrases

cruising for a bruising

informal heading or looking for trouble.

Origin:

mid 17th century (as a verb): probably from Dutch kruisen 'to cross', from kruis 'cross', from Latin crux