tears
Britishplural noun
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the clear salty solution secreted by the lacrimal glands that lubricates and cleanses the surface of the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelids
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a state of intense frustration (esp in the phrase bored to tears )
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weeping
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presented so as to be easily assimilated
reading without tears
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.
“Yesterday half of the jury spontaneously broke down in tears and several members of the jury have reported multiple nights of sleeplessness,” they wrote in a note to the judge.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
The 31-year-old teaching assistant, who wears a headscarf, burst into tears in front of the security guard's booth -- the very spot where Abdullah gave his life to prevent a massacre.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
Already bursting with passion to be world-premiering his directorial debut, “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” Travolta was moved to tears.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Often, the only traces of a Gallrein appearance are posed photos shared afterward on his campaign Facebook page, the political equivalent of tears in the rain.
From Slate • May 19, 2026
He had tears in his eyes, tears like Da’s the day he left us for the ship, and tears like Maggie’s when she set out.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
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.
