teary
Americanadjective
-
characterized by, covered with, or secreting tears
-
given to weeping; tearful
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of teary
First recorded in 1325–75, teary is from the Middle English word tery. See tear 1, -y 1
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That these sort of games, with their duplicity, hypocrisies and teary moments of tenderness, are popular is beyond question, and that is certainly how viewers are invited to watch.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
She was seen “squinting with teary eyes” before testing positive for a potentially fatal bacterial infection.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
From here Jalen Brunson will seldom enter a room in New York City without teary strangers saying thank you, without grateful locals breaking into spontaneous, extended applause.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 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
Not because Mama's eyes are red and teary and she doesn't even look at me or Darius.
From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi
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.
