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cruise

Syllabification: (cruise)
Pronunciation: /kro͞oz/
Translate cruise | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of cruise

verb

[no object]
  • 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 vacation on a ship or boat following a predetermined course, usually calling in at several ports.
  • (of a vehicle or person) 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
  • 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 sports:he cruised to an easy victory in Tuesday’s primary
  • 3(of a young child) walk while holding onto furniture or other structures, prior to learning to walk without support:my daughter cruised at seven months and didn’t walk until just after her first birthday (as noun cruising)it can take ages to go from cruising to proper walking [with object]:about a week ago she started crawling forwards, cruising furniture, and standing by herself

noun

  • a voyage on a ship or boat taken for pleasure or as a vacation 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

cruise in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cruise in the British & World English dictionary