tear-stained
Americanadjective
-
marked or wet with tears.
a tear-stained letter.
-
showing traces of tears or signs of having wept.
tear-stained cheeks.
Etymology
Origin of tear-stained
First recorded in 1585–95
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.
But after long, tight hugs and tear-stained cheeks, Chiles left, as her father advised, with her head held high.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2023
The scientists’ tear-stained cheeks lit up with reflected light, and the crowd erupted.
From Science Magazine • Sep. 27, 2022
I couldn't bear to lift my gaze and possibly catch another glimpse of Mom's blotchy, tear-stained face with her swollen, now make-up free eyes.
From Salon • Feb. 20, 2022
The build-up to his last contest, then the tear-stained aftermath of his fourth-place finish, have been an emotional roller coaster for the three-time champion.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2022
And then, turning to the tear-stained, smiling DYNNE, he remarked, “Isn’t it time for you to go?”
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
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.
