cry

To have tears coming from your eyes because you feel sad, hurt, or very happy.

• The baby is crying.
• I cried when my dog died.
• Why are you crying?

How to use it: cry over something (She cried over the broken toy.); cry with something (He cried with relief when they found his daughter.)

Similar words: weep, sob

Common phrases: cry all night, cry with joy, cry over something

To say something suddenly in a loud voice.

• "Help!" she cried.
• He cried out when he saw the fire.
• The children cried for us to wait.

How to use it: cry out (She cried out in surprise.); cry for someone to do something (They cried for the driver to stop.)

Similar words: shout, yell, call

Opposites: whisper

Common phrases: cry out, cry for help, cry in alarm

To bring yourself or someone else into a particular state by shedding tears.

• She cried herself to sleep.
• He had cried himself sick with worry.
• The child cried herself into exhaustion.

How to use it: cry oneself to sleep (I cried myself to sleep after hearing the news.); cry oneself into something (She cried herself into a state of exhaustion.)

Common phrases: cry oneself asleep, cry oneself sick

To announce something loudly in public, such as goods for sale or lost property.

• Vendors would cry their goods in the square.
• The town official cried the news at noon.
• A servant was sent to cry the lost horse.

Similar words: announce, proclaim

Common phrases: cry goods, cry the news, cry lost property

A loud sound someone makes with their voice, often because of fear, pain, or excitement.

• We heard a loud cry.
• She gave a cry of surprise.
• His cries for help woke the neighbors.

How to use it: a cry of something (He gave a cry of pain.); a cry for something (Her cry for help brought everyone running.)

Similar words: shout, scream, yell

Common phrases: a loud cry, cry of pain, cry for help

A period of shedding tears, usually because you feel sad.

• I need a good cry.
• She felt better after a little cry.
• He had a quiet cry in his room.

How to use it: have a cry (She had a cry after everyone left.)

Common phrases: have a cry, a good cry, a little cry

The usual sound made by a particular kind of animal or bird.

• We heard the cry of an owl.
• The gulls filled the harbor with their cries.
• Can you recognize that bird by its cry?

How to use it: the cry of something (The cry of a fox broke the silence.)

Similar words: call

Common phrases: cry of something, a bird cry, a familiar cry