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

As the floodwaters careened through the town, Rai ran into Prasad, shirtless and crying, and urged him to get to higher ground.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

A mother stands by the rubble, crying out for her daughter.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

"We're not sitting around crying about it; we're ramping up our investments," Bertinelli said.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

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

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

It isn’t till the tear plops on to my lap that I realize I’m crying, too.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler