- present participle of cry.
crying
Americanadjective
-
demanding attention or remedy; critical; severe.
a crying evil.
-
reprehensible; odious; notorious.
a crying shame.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of crying
First recorded in 1300–50, crying is from the Middle English word cryenge. See cry, -ing 2
Vocabulary lists containing crying
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However no matter how much effort Grace puts in, she is often left crying and deeply distressed by the constant explosions during October and November.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Three months after the tearful student opened a Roth IRA in Jackson’s classroom, the teacher was approached again by someone who was crying at the school’s commencement ceremony.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
Business leaders in Aberdeen said it was "exactly the sort of pragmatic call the North Sea has been crying out for", and unions also welcomed the decision.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
Three losses, you walked around the locker room crying and handing out lacrosse sticks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
Then, his eyes were red from crying and his skinny arms were swimming in the too-big jersey that used to be his dad’s.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
