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

Sophocles’ Theban plays have dominated New York theater lately, but many other ancient dramas are crying out to be shared with the modern world.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Images released by a local media outlet showed a woman being evacuated on a stretcher and scenes of heartbreak outside the school, with people crying and hugging each other.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

The Canadian study researchers argued that this shows precisely what they would expect—controlled crying doesn’t prevent children from waking up entirely.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

But even people who aren’t being silenced, such as all the folks crying “cancel culture” after being called names on social media, steal the valor of bona fide free speech martyrs.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

I couldn’t stop myself from crying while Mr. Feeney was saying all this, amazed at what he was telling me.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott