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.
She was seen “squinting with teary eyes” before testing positive for a potentially fatal bacterial infection.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
This one was less teary, less tense, but still jubilant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
In 2013, the last Masters for Bennett, he drove Arnold Palmer back to the airport and they both got teary rolling back down Magnolia Lane and out of the club.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 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
A teary smile finds its way onto my face.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
