cry
cry — noun
1. a loud, high-pitched sound that a person makes when feeling a very strong emotio
a loud, high-pitched sound that a person makes when feeling a very strong emotion, such as pain, surprise, fear, or joy
Walid let out a sharp cry of pain when he hit his thumb with a hammer.
collocation: 'cry of' + emotion (pain/joy/fear)
A loud cry of surprise escaped from Heloísa when she saw the birthday cake.
Minho heard a cry from the next room and ran to check on his grandmother.
The children's excited cries echoed across the playground during the game.
- cry of pain
- cry of joy
- cry of surprise
- cry of fear
- let out a cry
- hear a cry
- a sharp cry
- a loud cry
- whisper
a very quiet way of speaking
Grammar Patterns
a cry of + emotion noun
Usage Note
Typically followed by 'of' and a noun naming the emotion (cry of pain, cry of joy). The plural form 'cries' is common for ongoing or repeated sounds.
Common Mistakes
2. a loud shout made by a person or group, especially to get attention, ask for hel
a loud shout made by a person or group, especially to get attention, ask for help, or express a public opinion
A desperate cry for help came from the far end of the street.
collocation: 'cry for help'
The crowd raised a cry of protest when the referee made the unfair call.
Lien heard a cry from the window below and looked down to see her friend wave.
Angry cries rang out from the demonstrators as the politician left the building.
- cry for help
- cry of protest
- cry of anger
- raise a cry
- hear a cry
- angry cries
Grammar Patterns
a cry + for + noun
Usage Note
Often appears in the pattern 'cry for + need/help'. The plural 'cries' is very common when describing many voices. Distinguish from sense 1 (EMOTIONAL SOUND), which focuses on an involuntary emotional outburst, whereas this sense focuses on a deliberate shout aimed at someone.
Common Mistakes
3. the characteristic vocal sound produced by a wild creature
the characteristic vocal sound produced by a wild creature
The cry of a seagull woke Femi at dawn every morning near the coast.
pattern: 'the cry of a + animal'
Hikers in the forest heard the distant cry of a wolf late at night.
The parrot let out a loud cry that made everyone in the room jump.
Hoa recognised the cry of a bear far inside the forest and decided to turn back.
- the cry of a bird
- the cry of a wolf
- the cry of a seagull
- a loud cry
- a distant cry
- animal cry
Grammar Patterns
the cry of + animal/bird
Usage Note
Use for the characteristic call of wild animals and birds. For domestic animals like dogs and cats, English prefers specific verbs (bark, meow) or 'sound'. This sense overlaps with verb sense 4 (ANIMAL CALL).
Common Mistakes
4. an instance or period of crying, especially in order to release strong feelings
an instance or period of crying, especially in order to release strong feelings
After the difficult exam, Sivan had a good cry and felt much calmer.
collocation: 'have a good cry'
The toddler needed a short cry before she could explain what upset her.
Sometimes you just need a long cry to let the stress out of your system.
Grandma's warm hug gave little Liam the permission he needed for a good cry.
- have a cry
- a good cry
- a long cry
- a little cry
- need a cry
Grammar Patterns
have a (good) cry
need a cry
Usage Note
Commonly used with 'have' (have a cry) and often modified by 'good', 'long', or 'little'. The phrase 'have a good cry' is a set expression meaning to cry freely until the emotion passes. Distinguish from sense 1 (EMOTIONAL SOUND), which refers to a single, loud sound — this sense describes a whole period of weeping.
Common Mistakes
5. a short phrase or word used by a group to express a shared goal or opinion, espe
a short phrase or word used by a group to express a shared goal or opinion, especially in a protest, campaign, or competition
The senator's cry for fair wages united workers from across the country.
pattern: 'cry for' + goal
The team ran onto the field with a battle cry that fired up the fans.
Protesters marched through the capital chanting their cry: "No more delay!"
Equality became the rallying cry of a generation tired of social injustice.
compound: 'rallying cry'
- battle cry
- war cry
- a cry for justice
- a cry for change
- rallying cry
- the cry of protesters
- slogan
more neutral term for any memorable phrase
- battle cry
specifically for a fight or competition
- watchword
a principle or guide, less emotional than a cry
Grammar Patterns
someone's cry
the cry of + group
Usage Note
Often used in political or social contexts. The phrase 'battle cry' is a common compound noun meaning a shout used before or during a fight. 'War cry' is another variant. This is the least frequent noun sense.
Common Mistakes
very different from something — often used to compare how much things have changed
The new hospital is a far cry from the old building with broken windows and leaking roofs.
in full cry
idiomchasing or pursuing someone or something with great energy and noise; also used for groups demanding something passionately
The journalists were in full cry after the politician left the courthouse.
cry over spilt milk
idiomto waste time feeling sad or angry about something bad that has already happened and cannot be changed
I know you regret selling the car early, but there is no use crying over spilt milk.
cry wolf
idiomto keep asking for help or raising a false alarm when you do not actually need it, so that people stop believing you when you really do need help
The student had cried wolf so many times that the principal ignored his latest complaint.
a shoulder to cry on
idiomsomeone who listens to your problems and gives you sympathy and emotional support
When Nikhil's business failed, his older brother was a shoulder to cry on.
for crying out loud
idioman informal expression used to show that you are annoyed, angry, or impatient with someone or something
For crying out loud, could you please turn down that music? I am trying to study.
cry foul
idiomto complain that someone has done something wrong, dishonest, or unfair
The losing team cried foul when the referee did not call the obvious penalty.
cry — verb
1. to have tears come out of your eyes when you are feeling very sad, hurt, or extr
to have tears come out of your eyes when you are feeling very sad, hurt, or extremely happy
Yuki cried when her best friend moved to another country last summer.
pattern: cry + when-clause
The baby cried for nearly an hour before finally falling asleep.
Ryan tried not to cry during the sad movie, but the ending was too touching.
Nikhil cried tears of joy when he saw his family waiting at the airport gate.
transitive: cry + tears of joy
When Reema's grandfather passed away, she sat in the garden and cried until the sun went down.
- cry tears of joy
- cry with happiness
- cry with pain
- make someone cry
- start crying
- stop crying
- cry bitterly
- laugh
opposite emotional response — expressing joy rather than sadness
Grammar Patterns
cry
cry + because/as/when clause
cry + tears (transitive use)
Usage Note
The most common sense of 'cry'. Usually intransitive (She cried). The transitive pattern 'cry tears of joy/sadness' is common but formal. 'Cry' in this sense focuses on producing tears — distinguish from verb sense 3 (SHOUT OUT), where no tears are involved.
Common Mistakes
2. to keep crying over an extended period of time until you eventually fall asleep
to keep crying over an extended period of time until you eventually fall asleep or become exhausted
After the argument with her parents, the teenager cried herself to sleep.
pattern: cry + reflexive + to sleep
The homesick child cried himself to sleep every night for the first week of camp.
The old woman cried herself to sleep every night after her husband passed away.
Chidi cried himself to sleep on the first night in his new dorm room at college.
- cry yourself to sleep
- cry oneself to sleep
Grammar Patterns
cry + reflexive pronoun + to/into + state
Usage Note
This sense always uses a reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) followed by a phrase indicating the resulting state ('to sleep', 'into exhaustion'). It is a resultative construction: crying causes the state.
Common Mistakes
3. to say something loudly, especially to get someone's attention, to warn someone,
to say something loudly, especially to get someone's attention, to warn someone, or to express a sudden strong feeling
"Watch out!" cried Marco as the bicycle came speeding around the corner.
pattern: quoted speech + 'cried' (attributive)
Gabriel cried out in surprise when he saw the beautiful decorations inside the hall.
"Is anyone there?" cried the lost hiker, hoping that someone would hear him.
The tour guide cried a warning to the group as the rocks began to fall.
transitive: cry + a warning/command
- cry out
- cry a warning
- cry in surprise
- cry in pain
- cry for help
- whisper
speak very quietly
Grammar Patterns
cry + out
cry + quoted speech
cry + to + person
Usage Note
In writing, 'cried' is often used as a dialogue verb ("Help!" she cried) meaning 'shouted'. 'Cry out' is a common phrasal verb variant meaning to shout suddenly because of pain, shock, or surprise. Distinguish from sense 1 (SHED TEARS) — this sense involves no tears, only voice.
Common Mistakes
4. (of a bird or animal) to make its natural, characteristic sound
(of a bird or animal) to make its natural, characteristic sound
The peacocks cried loudly from the garden as the sun began to set.
subject: animal name
We could hear the owls crying to one another all through the night.
The monkeys in the trees cried out when they saw the tourists approaching.
The seals on the rocks cried out to one another across the quiet bay.
- birds crying
- wolves crying
- monkeys crying
- cry loudly
- cry to one another
- hear something crying
Grammar Patterns
cry
cry + adverbial
Usage Note
This verb is used for animals and birds whose sound does not have a more specific English verb (like 'bark' for dogs, 'meow' for cats, 'neigh' for horses). For wild birds, wolves, monkeys, and large wild animals, 'cry' is common. The noun form (sense 3) is more frequent than the verb form of this meaning.
Common Mistakes
5. to announce something loudly and publicly, especially news or a decision, so tha
to announce something loudly and publicly, especially news or a decision, so that everyone can hear
The royal messenger cried the news of the victory through every street of the capital.
historical register: town crier context
Street vendors in the old market cried their fresh fish and vegetables to passersby.
In medieval towns, a bell would ring before the crier cried the latest news.
The auctioneer cried the final price of the painting to the crowded room.
- cry the news
- cry wares
- cry the time
- conceal
keep something hidden
Grammar Patterns
cry + that-clause
cry + quoted speech
be cried + adverbial
Usage Note
This sense is formal and somewhat literary or historical. It appears in descriptions of medieval town criers and market traders. In modern English, 'proclaim', 'announce', or 'advertise' are more common. The noun 'town crier' preserves this meaning.
Common Mistakes
cry out
phrasal verbto shout or make a loud noise suddenly because of pain, fear, surprise, or strong emotion — a more specific variant of verb sense 3
Otis cried out when the cold water hit his sunburned skin.
Pim cried out in delight when he saw the puppy running toward him.
cry out for
phrasal verbto need something very badly or urgently — used for things or situations, not people
The old school building is crying out for a fresh coat of paint and new windows.
The education system is crying out for reform and better funding.
cry off
phrasal verbTo cancel an arrangement or promise.
Min cried off the dinner party because she was sick.
Why did you cry off the meeting at the last minute?
cry foul
idiomTo complain that someone has done something wrong or unfair.
The team cried foul after the referee missed the penalty.
Did you cry foul when your brother took your dessert?
cry over spilt milk
idiomTo waste time being upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Maya failed the test, but there's no use crying over spilt milk.
Instead of crying over spilt milk, let's fix the problem.
cry wolf
idiomTo call for help when it is not needed, so that later people do not believe you when help is really needed.
If you cry wolf too often, no one will trust you.
The boy cried wolf, and the villagers stopped coming.
for crying out loud
idiomUsed to express anger or surprise.
For crying out loud, turn down that music!
For crying out loud, did you really eat all the cake?
To laugh so hard that tears come to your eyes.
The comedian was so funny that we laughed till we cried.
Did you laugh until you cried at the movie last night?
To be unsure how to react to a bad or confusing situation.
When the cake fell on the floor, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Sara didn't know whether to laugh or cry after losing her keys.
a shoulder to cry on
idiomA person who listens to your problems and gives you sympathy.
After the breakup, Diego was a shoulder to cry on for his friend.
Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes.
Word family
- criesverbA2
- criesnounB1
- cryingadjectiveB1
- cryingnounB1
- criedverbA2
- outcrynounC1
- criernounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Cry is the most general and neutral word for producing tears from sadness or pain. Weep is more formal or literary and suggests quiet, prolonged crying. Sob describes crying with short, loud breaths and a shaking body — it is physically more intense and involves noise. Wail means crying with long, loud, high-pitched sounds, often associated with grief or extreme distress. Blubber is informal and slightly disapproving, describing loud, messy, uncontrolled crying. For example: The baby cried because she was hungry (neutral). The widow wept silently at the funeral (formal, dignified). The child sobbed after being scolded (noisy, breathless). The mourners wailed at the grave (loud, high-pitched). He blubbered like a baby when he heard the bad news (informal, unflattering). In everyday conversation, 'cry' is the safest choice. 'Weep' and 'sob' are common in written narratives.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'cry' comes from Old French 'crier', meaning to shout or call out loudly. This in turn came from Latin 'quiritare', a word used for wailing or shouting for help. The sense of 'shedding tears' developed later in English, around the 16th century. Before that, 'cry' only meant to shout or call out. The noun form appeared around the same time, referring first to a shout or announcement and later to a fit of weeping. The two main modern clusters of meaning — shouting and weeping — thus share a common ancestor in loud vocal expression.