crying
crying Lexical Profile
crying Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Shedding tears or weeping as an expression of distress, pain, or sorrow.
"The teacher gently comforted the crying child after he scraped his knee on the playground."
Very great, blatant, or demanding immediate attention and remedy (used before a noun, as in 'a crying shame' or 'a crying need').
"It is a crying shame that such a historic theater was allowed to fall into complete disrepair."
• noun
The act or sound of shedding tears in distress, pain, or sorrow; weeping.
"The soft crying of the newborn infant echoed down the quiet hospital corridor."
The act of shouting, calling out loudly, or making a public proclamation.
"The loud crying of wares by street vendors filled the bustling morning market."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as an adjective meaning 'demanding immediate attention' (as in 'a crying need' or 'a crying shame'), it is restricted almost exclusively to attributive position before a noun.