crying

American  

[krahy-ing] / ˈkraɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. demanding attention or remedy; critical; severe.

   a crying evil.

2. reprehensible; odious; notorious.

   a crying shame.

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crying British  

/ ˈkraɪɪŋ /

adjective

1. (prenominal) notorious; lamentable (esp in the phrase crying shame )

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Other Word Forms

• cryingly adverb
• uncrying adjective

Etymology

Origin of crying

First recorded in 1300–50, crying is from the Middle English word cryenge. See cry, -ing ²

Example Sentences

And then”—ugh, I hate to admit to this, but Pua needs to know if she’s going to understand why Leo and I don’t talk—“I started crying.”

From Literature

“Having to say that we have proof that your husband was taken and hearing that woman crying and couldn’t talk, and I’m like, what do I say now?”

From Los Angeles Times

"When he was a child he broke a lot of racquets and I had to take him crying to the hotel or home," he said in 2024, while Alcaraz described himself as "a bad loser".

From BBC

"Valieva's back," her fans celebrated on social media, some saying they were "crying with happiness".

From Barron's

Hundreds of birds nested across the domes and, as they approached, took off into the sky, crying out in alarm.

From Literature