- The definition of a cry is a shedding of tears or a calling out.
An example of a cry is a scream for help.
- Cry is defined as to shed tears or call out.
An example of to cry is to release tears after hearing sad news.
intransitive verb cried, crying
- to make a loud vocal sound or utterance; call out, as for help; shout
- to sob and shed tears, in expressing sorrow, pain, grief, etc.; weep
- to plead or clamor (for)
- to show or suggest a great need (for): problems crying for solution
- to utter its characteristic call: said of an animal
Origin: Middle English crien ; from Old French crier ; from Classical Latin quiritare, to wail, shriek (var. of quirritare, to squeal like a pig ; from an unverified form quis, echoic of a squeal); associated, association inch(es) ancient folk etymology with Classical Latin Quirites, Roman citizens (as if meaning “to call the Quirites,” implore their help)
transitive verb
- to plead or beg for: to cry quarter
- to utter loudly; shout; exclaim
- to call out (wares for sale, services offered, etc.); announce publicly
- to bring into a specified condition by crying: to cry oneself asleep
noun pl. cries
- a loud vocal sound expressing pain, anger, fright, joy, etc.
- any loud utterance; shout
- an announcement or advertisement called out publicly
- an urgent appeal; plea
- popular report; rumor; rallying call or battle cry; watchword
- the current opinion or fashion
- clamor of the people; public outcry
- a slogan
- a sobbing and shedding of tears; fit of weeping
- the characteristic vocal sound of an animal
- the baying of hounds in the chase
- a pack of hounds
Origin: ME & OFr cri < the v.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
verb cried cried , cry·ing, cries cries verb, intransitive
- To sob or shed tears because of grief, sorrow, or pain; weep.
- To call loudly; shout.
- To utter a characteristic sound or call. Used of an animal.
- To demand or require immediate action or remedy: grievances crying out for redress.
- To utter loudly; call out.
- To proclaim or announce in public: crying one's wares in the marketplace.
- To bring into a particular condition by weeping: cry oneself to sleep.
- Archaic To beg for; implore: cry forgiveness.
- A loud utterance of an emotion, such as fear, anger, or despair.
- A loud exclamation; a shout or call.
- A fit of weeping: had a good long cry.
- An urgent entreaty or appeal.
- A public or general demand or complaint.
- A common view or general report.
- An advertising of wares by calling out: venders' cries at the fish market.
- A rallying call or signal: a cry to arms.
- A slogan, especially a political one.
- The characteristic call or utterance of an animal.
- a. The baying of hounds during the chase.b. A pack of hounds.
- Obsolete Clamor; outcry.
- Obsolete A public announcement; a proclamation.
Origin: Middle English crien, from Old French crier, from Vulgar Latin *critāre, from Latin quirītāre, to cry out, perhaps from Quirītēs, public officers to whom one would cry out in times of need.
cry - Phrases/Idioms
a far cry
- a great distance; long way
- a thing much different
cry down
to belittle; disparage
cry in one's beer
Informal to lament or complain in a maudlin manner
cry off
to withdraw from an agreement or undertaking
cry one's eyes out
to weep much and bitterly
cry out
- to shout; yell
- to complain loudly
cry up
to shout praise of; praise highly
in full cry
in eager pursuit: said of a pack of hounds
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
cry havoc
To sound an alarm; warn.
eyes
cry (one's) /heart out
To weep inconsolably for a long time.
cry on (someone's) shoulder
To tell one's problems to someone else in an attempt to gain sympathy or consolation.
cry over spilled milk
To regret in vain what cannot be undone or rectified.
cry wolf
To raise a false alarm.
for crying out loud
Used to express annoyance or astonishment: Let's get going, for crying out loud!
in full cry
In hot pursuit, as hounds hunting.