# teary

/ˈtɪɹi/ (US) · /tˈiəɹi/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/teary
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

having or showing tears. You use this to describe someone who is crying or something that makes you feel very emotional.

For teachers: characterised by or showing tears; causing or resulting in emotional distress. Often used to describe a person's eyes or a situation that evokes strong feelings.

## Examples

- She had a teary goodbye with her friends.
- The old man gave a teary speech at the funeral, struggling to hold back his emotions.
- The documentary was so moving that the audience left the theater with teary eyes, deeply affected by the stories of the families affected by the conflict.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.