tears

/ tɪəz /

plural noun

1. the clear salty solution secreted by the lacrimal glands that lubricates and cleanses the surface of the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelids lachrymal
2. a state of intense frustration (esp in the phrase bored to tears )
3. in tears
   weeping
4. without tears
   presented so as to be easily assimilated

   reading without tears

Idioms and Phrases

see bore to death (tears) ; burst into (tears) ; crocodile tears . Also see under tear .

Example Sentences

Mrs MacKinnon broke down in tears before continuing her evidence.

From BBC

Next to a vandalised wire fence opposite HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, 28-year-old Beatrice Auty brushes away tears.

From BBC

These are most certainly tears of laughter.

From Los Angeles Times

Although the mother of another girl had phoned the school in tears, Audrey F said she had called her back, with Samuel Paty also on the call, and said the mother appeared reassured.

From BBC

“We tried to put it out, but everything was burning so strongly,” she says through tears.

From BBC

Related Words

• break
• crack
• damage
• divide
• grab
• injure
• mangle
• pull
• rive
• rupture
• separate
• sever
• shred
• slash
• snatch
• split
• wrench
• yank