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

"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

He goes out often to survey the damage, standing with people who’ve lost their homes, crying with them.

From Literature

This book takes aim at what the author calls the “therapy-speak” that means well but creates an unhelpful shorthand for the more complicated problems crying out for a better means of expression.

From Los Angeles Times

But much of the nation is sick of the cowbell, crying out for some economic harmony.

From The Wall Street Journal