teary

[ teer-ee ]

adjective

, tear·i·er, tear·i·est.

1. of or like tears.
2. tearful.

teary

/ ˈtɪərɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by, covered with, or secreting tears
2. given to weeping; tearful

Derived Forms

• ˈteariness, noun
• ˈtearily, adverb

Other Words From

• teari·ly adverb
• teari·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of teary¹

First recorded in 1325–75, teary is from the Middle English word tery. See tear ¹, -y ¹

Example Sentences

In a teary post-race interview, Ricciardo said he was battling a lot of emotions.

From BBC

Slayer, the pioneering thrash metal band he co-founded in 1981 from suburban Huntington Park, was finished as an active touring and recording outfit, much to the sadness and disbelief of the teary, moshing crowd in front of him.

From Los Angeles Times

As some of the veterans arrived on Monday, descending from a hulking 767 onto the tarmac of the small Deauville airport — sometimes helped by multiple aides — many of those there to greet them grew teary in between their bursts of applause.

From New York Times

They’ll all do a bit of self-reflection and have an epiphany about their current stasis, and then proceed to the teary catharsis and a renewed approach to life.

From Los Angeles Times

On Sunday, all too predictably, a teary Combs posted a video on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• mournful
• poignant
• sad
• sorrowful
• watery
• weeping
• weepy