adj
teary
TEER-ree
Teary (adj) means having eyes filled with tears, or inclined to cry. Example: “He got a bit teary watching his daughter's graduation.”
adj
1
Having eyes filled with tears, or inclined to cry.
"No wonder Ryan was teary; he missed his parents."
"He got a bit teary watching his daughter's graduation."
"Wade looked into his girlfriend's teary eyes."
How to use teary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn the verge of crying, or with eyes wet from tears.
Common pairings
teary-eyed
get teary
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Word forms
- Comparative
- tearier
- Superlative
- teariest
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He got a bit _____ watching his daughter's graduation.
Etymology
From Middle English tery, built from tear plus "-y."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for teary
See all rhymes for teary →Frequently asked questions
What does “teary” mean?
The word “teary” means having eyes filled with tears, or inclined to cry. In plain terms, on the verge of crying, or with eyes wet from tears.
How do you pronounce “teary”?
“Teary” is pronounced TEER-ree (/ˈtɪɚi/ in IPA).
How do you use “teary” in a sentence?
Here is “teary” used in a sentence: “He got a bit teary watching his daughter's graduation.”
What part of speech is “teary”?
“Teary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “teary” come from?
The word “teary” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tery, built from tear plus "-y.".
