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 said: "I didn't tell any of my family until we got home from hospital. I told my sons and they just broke down crying."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Hoijard said his five-year-old son had been "lying in bed crying" after the airport ordeal, which followed a trip away for his mother-in-law's 60th birthday party.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Everyone was crying — players, coaches, losers because they lost, winners because they won.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 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

Then Lucca started crying, and she shoved past Bat to go back into the hallway.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold