teary

American  

[teer-ee] / ˈtɪər i /

adjective

tearier, teariest

1. of or like tears.

2. tearful.

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teary British  

/ ˈtɪərɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by, covered with, or secreting tears

2. given to weeping; tearful

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Other Word Forms

• teariness
  noun
• tearily
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of teary

First recorded in 1325–75, teary is from the Middle English word tery. See tear ¹, -y ¹

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Explanation

When you're teary, your eyes fill with tears and you may even cry. Sad movies can make you teary, and so can chopping onions. If you're so sentimental that tragic stories and sentimental songs bring you to the edge of weeping, you can say they make you teary. You might say a teary farewell to your camp friends at the end of the summer or get teary at the thought of the dog you had when you were little. Pitiful, poignant, and sad things can all make you teary.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

teary

Asked how it felt to see Keira doing so well, Joel said he would often get "teary" when she won competitions.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Given the cancer diagnosis, did Manilow worry that fans might interpret the song — a teary goodbye from a well-wishing lover — as a more permanent farewell?

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

This one was less teary, less tense, but still jubilant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

Wendy said she wanted to be "reunited" with her husband "at the end of her days" and has felt "quite teary" thinking that this will no longer happen.

From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026

It isn’t until his first day in New Haven, after his father and teary mother and Sonia are heading back up 95 toward Boston, that he begins to introduce himself as Nikhil.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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Related Words

• mournful
• poignant
• sad
• sorrowful
• watery
• weeping
• weepy

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