crying

[ krahy-ing ]

adjective

1. demanding attention or remedy; critical; severe:

   a crying evil.

2. reprehensible; odious; notorious:

   a crying shame.

crying

/ ˈkraɪɪŋ /

adjective

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

Other Words From

• crying·ly adverb
• un·crying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crying¹

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

Example Sentences

"We have been crying for days. You can't imagine what we feel. Everyone here in Syria lost family. Everyone was suffering."

From BBC

She was nine years old and she had a valid U.S. passport, for crying out loud.

From Salon

"Your cameras are focused on her as she’s crying as she’s being taken out of our country. And then the public turns against us. But we have to do our job."

From Salon

On Sunday, hundreds of Syrians in Manchester celebrated Assad's demise by singing, dancing and crying in the city centre, while dozens of people also gathered in Belfast to celebrate the end of his regime.

From BBC

He joked that he’s either doing nude scenes or crying scenes or nude crying scenes.

From Los Angeles Times