Word
crying
Phoneticscry·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɹaɪɪŋ/
UK/kɹˈaɪɪŋ/
Definitions
01shedding tears
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. the act of weeping or shedding tears because of pain, sadness, or strong emotion.
n. the act of weeping or shedding tears, typically as an expression of distress, pain, or sorrow.
“The sound of a baby crying woke the neighbors in the middle of the night.”
“After the funeral, her constant crying eventually gave way to a quiet, exhausted silence that lasted for several hours.”
Antonyms
02urgent or desperate
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. used to describe a problem that needs attention right away.
adj. demanding immediate attention or action; used to describe a situation that is desperate or deplorable.
“It is a crying shame that the old library was torn down.”
“The lack of affordable housing in the city center is a crying need that the local government has failed to address for decades.”
Etymology
From cry + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. crying shame
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/crying