crying
English meaning: Crying
Definition
Present participle of 'cry': showing that the action of cry is happening now.
Example
“The little boy is crying because he dropped his ice cream on the hot pavement.”
Another example: “For crying out loud, will someone please answer the phone!”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral, everyday English; present participle of 'cry', used in continuous tenses and as an adjective ('a crying need' = urgent; 'a crying shame' = very regrettable). 'Cry' as a noun is common here.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'crier', from Latin 'quiritare' (to wail).
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
Related Words
Common Collocations
- crying baby
- crying shame
- crying need
- crying out loud
- stop crying
Word Forms
cry (v); cried; cries; crying; cry (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B