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

She started crying midway through the voice message.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“This time, I wasn’t 17 years old, going through my first heartbreak, crying at the piano and a song just flies out. I had to sharpen my songwriting skills and my singing skills,” Rodrigo said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

At times, he had to hide that he was crying on the golf course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“My little sister’s crying, my little brother’s scared,” Tello recalled.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

Either way it would all come to nothing, but at least it kept her from crying.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff