Skip to content
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

cry

/kɹaɪ/

Press play to hear how to pronounce cry.

American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
Watch on YouTube ↗

What does cry mean?

verb

  1. To shed tears; to weep, especially in anger or sadness.
  2. To utter loudly; to call out; to declare publicly.
  3. To shout, scream, yell.
More meanings (14)

verb

  1. (figuratively) To forcefully attract attention or proclaim one’s presence.
  2. To utter inarticulate sounds, as animals do.
  3. To cause to do something, or bring to some state, by crying or weeping.
  4. To make oral and public proclamation of; to notify or advertise by outcry, especially things lost or found, goods to be sold, auctioned, etc.
  5. Hence, to publish the banns of, as for marriage.

noun

  1. A shedding of tears; the act of crying.
  2. A shout or scream.
  3. Words shouted or screamed.
  4. A clamour or outcry.
  5. A typical sound made by the species in question.
  6. A desperate or urgent request.
  7. (archaic) A group of hounds.
  8. (derogatory, obsolete) A pack or company of people.
  9. (obsolete) Common report; gossip.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/kɹaɪ/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

He gave a cry of terror, sprang sideways, and rushed on before I could gather my wits sufficiently to speak to him.
H. G. (Herbert George) WellsThe war of the worldsProject Gutenberg ebook #36
At sight of her Anne tried to scramble to her feet, but sank back again with a sharp little cry of pain.
L. M. (Lucy Maud) MontgomeryAnne of Green GablesProject Gutenberg ebook #45
More book examples (3)
With a cry of rage I turned to meet the cowardly beasts, but as I advanced they retreated as had their fellow.
Edgar Rice BurroughsThe gods of MarsProject Gutenberg ebook #64
He leapt to his feet, gave one glance at me, and with a joyful cry, threw himself on his knees before me.
Anthony HopeThe prisoner of ZendaProject Gutenberg ebook #95
His hands released her as he uttered this cry, and went up to his white hair, which they tore in a frenzy.
Charles DickensA Tale of Two CitiesProject Gutenberg ebook #98