Cry
/kraɪ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo express strong emotion, especially sadness or pain, by shedding tears.
/kraɪ/
To shed tears, usually as a result of sadness, pain, or strong emotion.
The little girl cried when she lost her favorite toy.
💡 Simply: Think of when you get really sad or hurt. Sometimes you can't help but let tears fall from your eyes. That's crying!
👶 For kids: When you're sad or hurt, sometimes tears come out of your eyes. That's called crying.
More Examples
He couldn't help but cry when he saw his old friend after so many years.
She cried tears of joy upon hearing the good news.
How It's Used
"She cried when she heard the sad news."
"The protagonist cried uncontrollably at the end of the novel."
To utter a loud shout or call, often to express an emotion or to attract attention.
/kraɪ/
To utter a loud shout or call, typically expressing a strong emotion.
The child cried out in alarm when he saw the dog.
💡 Simply: Imagine yelling out loud to get someone's attention or to show how you feel, like when you're excited about a game or scared of something. That's another way of crying.
👶 For kids: Sometimes, crying means making a loud noise with your voice, like when you shout for help.
More Examples
The audience cried 'Bravo!' after the performance.
The team cried for a timeout to discuss their strategy.
How It's Used
"The fans cried out in excitement after the winning goal."
"The hiker cried for help when he was lost in the woods."
A loud utterance expressing emotion or need.
/kraɪ/
An exclamation or sound of distress or pain.
A cry of anguish echoed through the silent house.
💡 Simply: It's like a sound of sadness or pain, or a way to get help when you're in trouble. Like a baby's cry.
👶 For kids: A cry is a sound you make when you're sad, scared, or need help.
More Examples
The wounded animal let out a pained cry.
The desperate cry for help finally reached the rescue team.
How It's Used
"The cry for help was heard by a neighbor."
"The mournful cry of the wounded bird filled the air."
Idioms & expressions
cry over spilled milk
To be upset or sad about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
"There's no point crying over spilled milk; let's just clean it up and move on."
a far cry
Something very different from something else.
"The modern city is a far cry from the small village it once was."
From Middle English crien, crie, from Old French crier ('to shout, cry out'), from Latin quiritare ('to wail, shriek').
The word 'cry' has been used for centuries to describe vocal expressions of emotion, and appears in various forms in numerous historical texts, often associated with religious and poetic contexts.
Memory tip
Imagine a baby's face when it wants something — crying is a way of expressing a need or feeling.