What does 'come across' mean?

Two main meanings:

1. To seem or appear a certain way:
"She comes across as very confident."
"How did I come across in the interview?"
"He comes across as arrogant, though he's actually quite shy."

This is about the impression someone gives — their visible personality or manner, which may or may not match reality.

2. To find or encounter unexpectedly:
"I came across this article and thought of you."
"We came across an old building in the forest."

This is about accidental discovery — you weren't looking for it, but you found it.

Which is more common? Both are very frequent. Meaning 1 is particularly common in professional contexts when discussing how someone presents themselves.

• "She seems" — plainer
• "She gives the impression of" — more formal
• "She reads as" — more recent, slightly informal

Tags: phrasal verbs, impression, discovery, everyday English