- 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.
"I am told that I was hysterical and crying and that it was for my own safety that I was taken to the hospital, clearly, I must have been in a bad place mentally."
From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026
In the video, neighbors can be heard angrily admonishing police officers for killing the dog while the woman, identified as Marie Marseille, held the animal, crying.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026
When his team was knocked out by Algeria in extra time, Mboladinga fell crying into the arms of the Congo fans around him.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
“I’ve been crying all day,” Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said during commemorations, capturing a sentiment echoed across multiple memorials marking the 10-year point.
From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026
Mutti was at the water’s edge, screaming and crying, and Peter was there beside her, holding her back, his arms fast around her.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
