Definition of cry
cried
;crying
transitive verb
1 : to utter loudly : shout He cried “Wait!” but it was too late.
3 : to proclaim publicly : advertise cry their wares
intransitive verb
1 : to call loudly : shout She cried out for help.
2 : to shed tears often noisily : weep, sob The child began to cry after she dropped her ice-cream cone.
3 : to utter a characteristic sound or call heard the seagulls crying
4 : to require or suggest strongly a remedy or disposition (see disposition 1b) … there are a hundred things which cry out for planning … — Roger Burlingame
cry havoc
: to sound an alarm
cry over spilled milk
cry wolf
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Examples of cry in a Sentence
The baby is crying. Is she okay?
Some people cry more easily than others.
He cried silently while the song played.
She cried all the way home from school that day.
She couldn't imagine why anyone would cry over a stupid movie.
She was crying with relief.
They cried tears of joy.
“Help,” he cried, “Get a doctor! Quick!”
I heard someone cry “Wait!” but the train pulled away anyway.
She'd never heard the sound of sea gulls crying by the shore.
Origin and Etymology of cry
Middle English crien, from Anglo-French crier, from Latin quiritare to make a public outcry, perhaps from Quirit-, Quiris, Roman citizen
First Known Use: 13th century
cry
Definition of cry
cries
1 : an instance of crying: such asa : an inarticulate utterance of distress, rage, or painb obsolete : outcry, clamor
2a obsolete : proclamationb cries plural, Scottish : banns
4 : a loud shout
6a : common reportb : a general opinion
7 : the public voice raised in protest or approval
8 : a fit of weeping
Examples of cry in a Sentence
The baby's cry woke me out of a deep sleep.
There was a cry of “Fire” and we all rushed for the exits.
The children were playing a game and their happy cries echoed through the house.
the wild cry of a coyote
Origin and Etymology of cry
see 1cry
First Known Use: 13th century
cry-
cryo-
Definition of cry-
: cold : freezing cryonics cryogen
Origin and Etymology of cry-
German kryo-, from Greek, from kryos — more at crust
CRY Defined for English Language Learners
cry
playDefinition of cry for English Language Learners
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: to produce tears from your eyes often while making loud sounds because of pain, sorrow, or other strong emotions
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: to shout or say something loudly
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of a bird or animal : to make the loud sound that is usual for a particular type of bird or animal
cry
Definition of cry for English Language Learners
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: a loud sound that someone makes to express pain, hunger, sadness, etc.
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: something that is said loudly : a shout or call
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: a loud sound made by an animal or bird
CRY Defined for Kids
Learn More about cry
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cry Spanish Central: Translation of cry Nglish: Translation of cry for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cry for Arabic speakers
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