weep

¹

[ weep ]

verb (used without object)

, wept [wept], weep·ing [wee, -ping].

1. to express grief, sorrow, or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears; shed tears; cry:

   to weep for joy;

   to weep with rage.

   Synonyms: lament, wail, sob

   Antonyms: rejoice, laugh

2. to let fall drops of water or other liquid; drip; leak:

   The old water tank was weeping at the seams.

3. to exude water or liquid, as soil, a rock, a plant stem, or a sore.

verb (used with object)

, wept [wept], weep·ing [wee, -ping].

1. to weep for (someone or something); mourn with tears or other expression of sorrow:

   He wept his dead brother.

   Synonyms: lament, bemoan, bewail

2. to shed (tears); pour forth in weeping:

   to weep tears of gratitude.

3. to let fall or give forth in drops:

   trees weeping an odorous gum.

4. to pass, bring, put, etc., to or into a specified condition with the shedding of tears (usually followed by away, out, etc.):

   to weep one's eyes out;

   to weep oneself to sleep.

noun

1. weeping, or a fit of weeping.
2. the exudation of water or liquid.

weep

²

[ weep ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. the lapwing, Vanellus vanellus, of Europe.

weep

/ wiːp /

verb

1. to shed (tears) as an expression of grief or unhappiness
2. trfoll byout to utter, shedding tears
3. whenintr, foll by for to mourn or lament (for something)
4. to exude (drops of liquid)
5. intr (of a wound, etc) to exude a watery or serous fluid

noun

1. a spell of weeping

Word History and Origins

Origin of weep¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English wepen, Old English wēpan “to wail”; cognate with Gothic wōpjan “to call,” Old Norse æpa “to cry out”

Origin of weep²

Imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of weep¹

Old English wēpan; related to Gothic wōpjan, Old High German wuofan, Old Slavonic vabiti to call

Example Sentences

“People were weeping in the room, and laughing at the same time,” the artist remembered.

From Los Angeles Times

Lutnick, who speaks with a New York accent and is known for his blustery style, wept on TV in the days after.

From BBC

Members of Max and Mason’s families wept and embraced after the sentence was passed, while Snook remained emotionless.

From BBC

After the election, however, she posted the photo of a weeping Lady Liberty with the caption, "Despair is not an option."

From Salon

When he appeared just 48 hours later at his party's convention in Milwaukee with gauze over his ear, some in the crowd were weeping.

From BBC

Related Words

• break down
• complain
• grieve
• howl
• moan
• mourn
• sob
• wail
• whimper