crying

Everyday

1. Crying means having tears coming from your eyes, usually because you are sad, hurt or scared. tree →
2. People sometimes cry because they are very happy or laughing hard. tree →
3. Crying can also mean shouting loudly, as in «crying for help» or «crying out». tree →

In the lessons

In stories crying shows a character's strong feelings: sadness, pain, fear or great joy. In everyday life a crying baby may be hungry, tired or uncomfortable, because babies cannot speak. In lessons about feelings, crying is a normal, healthy way to let out sadness, and anyone (boys and girls, children and adults) may cry. Phrases: burst out crying, cry for help, cry your eyes out, stop crying.

Examples

• The baby was crying because she was hungry. tree →
• He was crying after he fell off his bike and hurt his knee. tree →
• It is okay to cry when you feel sad. tree →
• She was crying with happiness when she won the race. tree →
• We heard someone crying for help near the river. tree →
• Onions can make your eyes water as if you were crying. tree →
• Tom stopped crying when his friend gave him a hug. tree →
• The puppy was crying at the door because it wanted to go out. tree →
• "What are you crying about, Prince?" tree →

Note

Spelling: cry → cries, cried, but crying (the «y» stays before -ing). «Crying» and «weeping» are close; «sobbing» is crying hard with noisy breaths. If a friend is crying, kind things to do are to ask «Are you okay?» and to tell an adult if they are hurt. Not to be confused with «calling», although old stories use «cry» for a loud call.

In Jewish tradition

It means a cry or shout of grief or distress, often a plea to God.

Interpretation. Tradition holds that God hears the cry of the suffering, as with Israel in Egypt. The sages valued tears and prayer.

Examples

• I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried; mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. (Writings PSA.69.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• There is a crying in the streets amidst the wine; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone. (Prophets ISA.24.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said: 'What meaneth the noise of this tumult?' And the man made haste, and came and told Eli. (Prophets 1SA.4.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: cry → cries, cried, but crying (the «y» stays before -ing). «Crying» and «weeping» are close; «sobbing» is crying hard with noisy breaths. If a friend is crying, kind things to do are to ask «Are you okay?» and to tell an adult if they are hurt. Not to be confused with «calling», although old stories use «cry» for a loud call.