crying

American  

[krahy-ing] / ˈkraɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. demanding attention or remedy; critical; severe.

   a crying evil.

2. reprehensible; odious; notorious.

   a crying shame.

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crying British  

/ ˈkraɪɪŋ /

adjective

1. (prenominal) notorious; lamentable (esp in the phrase crying shame )

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Other Word Forms

• cryingly adverb
• uncrying adjective

Etymology

Origin of crying

First recorded in 1300–50, crying is from the Middle English word cryenge. See cry, -ing ²

Example Sentences

She started crying midway through the voice message.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

At times, he had to hide that he was crying on the golf course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“My little sister’s crying, my little brother’s scared,” Tello recalled.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

"We have two-year-old children scared and crying and going through this," local resident Gaia Khouiri told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

"Now you come here to ask me favors. But what were you but a raggedy, bare-bottomed little boy like all the rest once upon a time, crying for your mama when Sheba passed by?"

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda