To find or encounter something or someone by chance; or to make a particular impression on others.
To find something or someone without looking for them; or the way you seem to other people.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To find or encounter something or someone by chance, without specifically looking for them.
"I came across my grandmother's diary while clearing out the attic."
I came across a photograph of her at a party, laughing.
— Nick Hornby, High Fidelity, 1995
To give a particular impression to others; to seem in a certain way.
"She comes across as very confident in interviews, even when she's nervous."
To be communicated or understood effectively.
"His passion for the subject really came across in his lecture."
To physically come across something — cross to the other side and encounter it. The impression sense is fully idiomatic.
To find something or someone without looking for them; or the way you seem to other people.
Two very distinct senses: (1) the discovery sense ('I came across an old letter') and (2) the impression sense ('She comes across as confident'). The impression sense is intransitive. Both senses are common and important for ESL learners at B1–B2.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "come across" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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