weep

verb

ˈwēp 

wept ˈwept  ; weeping

transitive verb

1

: to express deep sorrow for usually by shedding tears : bewail

… weeping the sins and errors of his youth …

—Edward Gibbon

2

: to pour forth (tears) from the eyes

3

: to exude (a fluid) slowly : ooze

a tree weeping sap

intransitive verb

1

: to express passion (such as grief) by shedding tears

2

a

: to give off or leak fluid slowly : ooze

b

of a fluid : to flow sluggishly or in drops

3

: to droop over : bend

Synonyms of weep

• drip
• bleed
• seep
• flow
• sweat
• exude
• ooze
• percolate

Examples of weep in a Sentence

He wept at the news of her death.

She sat down and wept.

He wept bitter tears of disappointment.

The meringue will weep if you put it in the fridge.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Labour government has whacked levies on private schools, introduced mansion taxes and is attempting to redistribute the nation’s wealth at a pace that would make Vladimir Lenin weep with joy. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 May 2026

Almodóvar lets the entire song play out, as Elsa and her boyfriend weep. —Jada Yuan, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026

My younger son, only 10 years old, started weeping in the back seat. —Caitlin Shetterly, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026

The three-hour-plus drama — about two women brought together by terminal illness — moved the audience in the Palais greatly, with many viewers weeping openly during the credits. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wepen, from Old English wēpan; akin to Old High German wuoffan to weep, Serbian & Croatian vapiti to cry out

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing weep

• weep hole

Rhymes for weep

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep
• sheep

Kids Definition

weep

verb

ˈwēp 

wept ˈwept  ; weeping

1

: to show emotion and especially sorrow by shedding tears : cry

2

: to give off liquid slowly or in drops : ooze

a tree weeping sap

weeper noun

Medical Definition

weep

verb

ˈwēp 

wept ˈwept  ; weeping

transitive verb

1

: to pour forth (tears) from the eyes

2

: to exude (a fluid) slowly

intransitive verb

1

: to shed tears

2

: to exude a serous fluid

a weeping burn