Describing Tears: A Guide to Adjectives for Crying

The most common adjectives for crying are tearful, teary-eyed, weepy, red-eyed and tear-stained for the person; silent, uncontrollable, muffled and heaving for the crying itself; and heartbroken, grief-stricken, moved or relieved for the feeling behind it. Often the strongest description uses a precise verb as well: a child wails, an adult sobs, someone trying not to cry is choked up.

Below: a picker by how someone is crying, the verbs and nouns that do much of the work, 75 example sentences in three tables, mistakes and two exercises with answers.

Words for crying by how someone cries

Verbs and nouns that describe crying

• cry – the everyday word; weep is quieter, more formal and literary.
• sob – cry noisily with short breaths; a sob is one of those breaths.
• wail, howl – long, loud, high cries of pain or grief.
• bawl – cry loudly, usually of a child; blubber – cry noisily and messily (informal, often mocking).
• whimper – make small weak sounds; snivel – cry and sniff in a self-pitying way (disapproving).
• tear up, well up – eyes fill with tears: “She teared up during the speech.”
• break down, burst into tears – start crying suddenly after holding it in.

In fiction, the physical signs often say more than an adjective: a trembling chin, a voice that cracks, breath that catches. For words about the tears themselves, see adjectives for tears; for the feeling, adjectives for sad and adjectives for feelings.

Table of Contents

• Words for crying by how someone cries
• Verbs and nouns that describe crying
• Definition of Adjectives for Crying
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of Adjectives for Crying
  • Emotional State
  • Intensity of Tears
  • Physical Appearance
• Examples of Adjectives for Crying
  • Emotional State Examples
  • Intensity of Tears Examples
  • Physical Appearance Examples
• Usage Rules for Adjectives Describing Crying
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of Adjectives for Crying

Adjectives for crying are words that describe the act of crying or the state of someone who is crying. They provide details about the emotion behind the tears, the quantity and quality of the tears themselves, and the physical appearance of the person crying. These adjectives help to paint a more complete and nuanced picture of the experience of crying, allowing for a deeper understanding and connection with the subject.

In terms of grammatical classification, these adjectives function as descriptive modifiers, providing additional information about a noun or pronoun referring to the act of crying or a person who is crying. They can be used attributively (before the noun, e.g., “a sorrowful cry”) or predicatively (after a linking verb, e.g., “the cry was heartbreaking“). The context in which these adjectives are used is crucial for understanding their precise meaning and impact.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of adjectives for crying is generally straightforward. They typically consist of a root word (often a verb or noun related to emotion or physical sensation) and a suffix that transforms the word into an adjective. Common suffixes include “-ful,” “-ing,” “-ed,” “-y,” and “-less.” For instance, “tear” (noun) becomes “tearful” (adjective), and “break” (verb) becomes “heartbreaking” (adjective.”

Many adjectives are formed by adding suffixes to verbs (e.g., sob becomes sobbing) or nouns (e.g., tear becomes tearful). Understanding these patterns can help you recognize and use a wider range of adjectives. Compound adjectives, formed by combining two or more words (e.g., red-eyed), are also common. The order of words in these compound adjectives is important for conveying the intended meaning.

Types and Categories of Adjectives for Crying

Adjectives for crying can be categorized based on different aspects of the crying experience. This classification helps in choosing the most appropriate adjective to convey the intended meaning.

Emotional State

These adjectives describe the emotion that is causing the crying. They provide insight into the feelings of the person crying and help the audience understand the emotional context of the tears. Examples include sorrowful, joyful, desperate, relieved, and heartbroken.

Intensity of Tears

These adjectives describe the quantity or force of the tears. They indicate whether the crying is mild or severe, quiet or loud. Examples include silent, uncontrollable, profuse, streaming, and restrained.

Physical Appearance

These adjectives describe the physical appearance of the person who is crying. They focus on the visible signs of crying, such as red eyes, swollen face, and tear-streaked cheeks. Examples include red-eyed, puffy-faced, tear-stained, blotchy, and bleary-eyed.

Examples of Adjectives for Crying

The following tables provide examples of adjectives for crying, categorized by emotional state, intensity of tears, and physical appearance. Each table includes numerous examples to illustrate the diverse range of adjectives available and their specific meanings.

Emotional State Examples

This table illustrates adjectives that describe the emotional reasons behind crying.

Intensity of Tears Examples

This table presents adjectives that describe the intensity or volume of crying.

Physical Appearance Examples

This table includes adjectives describing the physical signs of crying.

Usage Rules for Adjectives Describing Crying

When using adjectives to describe crying, it’s important to consider the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. Here are some key usage rules:

• Placement: Adjectives typically precede the noun they modify (e.g., “a sad song”). However, they can also follow a linking verb (e.g., “She is sad“).
• Order of Adjectives: When using multiple adjectives, follow the general order: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, purpose (e.g., “a beautiful small old round blue French wooden table” – no commas, because each word is from a different category).
• Hyphenation: Compound adjectives (two or more words acting as a single adjective) are often hyphenated when they precede the noun (e.g., “a red-eyed girl”). However, they are not hyphenated when they follow a linking verb (e.g., “Her eyes were red eyed”).
• Specificity: Choose adjectives that accurately reflect the emotion, intensity, or physical appearance you want to describe. Avoid vague or generic adjectives when more specific options are available.
• Figurative Language: Adjectives can be used figuratively to create vivid imagery and evoke emotions. For example, “torrential tears” borrows a word for heavy rain to show how hard someone is crying.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using adjectives for crying:

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of adjectives for crying with these exercises. Choose the best adjective to complete each sentence.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, consider exploring the use of adjectives for crying in literature and poetry. Analyze how authors use these adjectives to create specific moods and evoke emotional responses in readers. Research the etymology of these adjectives to understand their historical roots and nuances. Study how different cultures express crying and the adjectives they use to describe it.

Delving deeper, explore the metaphorical uses of crying-related adjectives. For example, phrases like “a sea of tears” or “a river of grief” use adjectives related to intensity and volume to create powerful imagery. These advanced applications require a strong grasp of both vocabulary and figurative language.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about adjectives for crying:

1. What is a word for crying a lot?

   Weepy or tearful (someone who cries often); inconsolable (someone who cannot be comforted). For the crying itself: sobbing, cry your eyes out, cry your heart out.

2. What is a word for trying not to cry?

   Choked up, fighting back tears, holding back tears, or with a lump in your throat. In writing: “Her chin trembled, but she kept her voice steady.”

3. What is the difference between “tearful” and “teary”?

   “Tearful” generally describes someone who is showing signs of crying or is prone to crying. “Teary” describes someone whose eyes are filled with tears, often implying a temporary state.

4. Can an adverb be used instead of an adjective to describe crying?

   Yes, adverbs can be used to describe the manner of crying (e.g., “She cried loudly”). However, adjectives are used to describe the state of the person crying or the quality of the tears themselves.

5. How do I choose the most appropriate adjective for crying?

   Consider the specific emotion, intensity, and physical appearance you want to convey. Use a dictionary or thesaurus to explore different options and choose the adjective that best fits the context.

6. Are there any adjectives that can describe both the cause and the effect of crying?

   Yes, some adjectives like “heartbreaking” can describe both the cause of crying (e.g., “a heartbreaking story”) and the effect on the person crying (e.g., “a heartbreaking cry”).

7. What are some common collocations with adjectives for crying?

   Common collocations include “shed tears,” “burst into tears,” “fight back tears,” “wipe away tears,” and “choke back tears.”

8. How can I improve my vocabulary of adjectives for crying?

   Read widely, pay attention to how authors use adjectives to describe crying, and practice using new adjectives in your own writing and conversations.

9. Is it correct to say “cryingly sad”?

   No – “cryingly” is not a standard word. Say “sad enough to make you cry”, “heartbreakingly sad” or “tear-jerking” (of a film or story). To describe the person, use “tearful” or “sobbing”.

10. Can I use adjectives for crying to describe animals?

    Yes, while crying is often associated with human emotions, you can use adjectives for crying to describe animals, especially when conveying emotion or distress. However, be mindful of anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to animals) and ensure that the description is appropriate for the context.

Crestfallen, contrite and cross describe three quite different reasons for tears. See 164 adjectives that start with C for the whole letter, sorted by what you need a word for.

Conclusion

Mastering adjectives for crying is essential for expressing a wide range of emotions and experiences with precision and clarity. By understanding the different categories of these adjectives and their usage rules, you can enhance your writing and communication skills. Remember to consider the context and choose adjectives that accurately reflect the emotion, intensity, and physical appearance you want to describe.

Continue to expand your vocabulary by reading widely and practicing using new adjectives in your own writing. With consistent effort, you can become more adept at using adjectives for crying to create vivid and impactful descriptions. Now you have a wide vocabulary to describe the subtle differences in how we express sorrow, joy, or pain through tears.

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