crying

American  

[krahy-ing] / ˈkraɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. demanding attention or remedy; critical; severe.

   a crying evil.

2. reprehensible; odious; notorious.

   a crying shame.

---

crying British  

/ ˈkraɪɪŋ /

adjective

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

---

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

Some nights, you’re crying before you go on, so you’re kind of acting in a way to put on this performance for people.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m a farm boy from Hebron, for crying out loud,” he exclaims.

From Salon

Dame Rachel de Souza told the Press Association children were "crying out" for engagement with their relatives over the festive break, and urged them to have "phone-free time".

From BBC

She wasn’t crying about what had been destroyed.

From Los Angeles Times

"She is absolutely stressed and crying," she said of the younger sister.

From Barron's