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.
- whisper
a very quiet way of speaking
文法句型
a cry of + emotion noun
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
a cry + for + noun
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
the cry of + animal/bird
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
have a (good) cry
need a cry
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- 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
文法句型
someone's cry
the cry of + group
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
When Reema's grandfather passed away, she sat in the garden and cried until the sun went down.
- laugh
opposite emotional response — expressing joy rather than sadness
文法句型
cry
cry + because/as/when clause
cry + tears (transitive use)
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
cry + reflexive pronoun + to/into + state
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- whisper
speak very quietly
文法句型
cry + out
cry + quoted speech
cry + to + person
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
cry
cry + adverbial
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
- conceal
keep something hidden
文法句型
cry + that-clause
cry + quoted speech
be cried + adverbial
用法筆記
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.