When it comes to describing the act of crying in an informal or colloquial way, a variety of slang terms and expressions are commonly used, often conveying the intensity, style, or duration of the weeping.
Common Slang Terms and Expressions for Crying
Many words exist to describe crying, from formal terms like "weep" or "sob" to more informal ones like "grieve." However, slang takes these descriptions a step further, often painting a more vivid or specific picture of the emotional release.
Here are some of the most common slang terms and phrases for crying:
- Ugly Cry: This term describes a particularly intense and emotional bout of crying where the crier's face becomes distorted, often red and snotty, without regard for appearance. It signifies deep, unrestrained emotion.
- Example: "After watching that sad movie, I had a full-blown ugly cry."
- Waterworks: This phrase refers to tears, often used when someone starts crying, sometimes in a slightly dismissive or exasperated tone, implying a flood of tears.
- Example: "As soon as he heard the news, the waterworks started."
- Bawl: While also a general synonym for crying, "bawl" is frequently used informally to describe loud, uncontrolled weeping, especially by children. It implies a significant volume and lack of restraint.
- Example: "The baby wouldn't stop bawling until her mother picked her up."
- Blubber: This term is quite informal and often carries a slightly negative or mocking connotation, describing noisy, uncontrolled, and sometimes unattractive weeping. It suggests a lack of composure.
- Example: "She sat there blubbering into her handkerchief."
- Blub: A shorter, even more informal version of "blubber," used to describe crying in a sniffling, messy way.
- Example: "He tends to blub whenever he gets upset."
- Sniffle: This term describes a milder form of crying, often at the beginning or end of a crying spell, characterized by repeated sniffing sounds as someone tries to hold back tears or clear their nose.
- Example: "She tried to hide her emotions, but I could hear her sniffle from the next room."
- Tear Up: This phrase describes the sensation of tears welling up in one's eyes, often as a prelude to full-blown crying or a mild, suppressed emotional response.
- Example: "The old song always makes me tear up a bit."
- Cry a River: This is a hyperbolic expression indicating that someone is crying excessively or dramatically.
- Example: "Don't cry a river over something so small!"
- Boo-Hoo: An onomatopoeic term that mimics the sound of crying, often used in a playful, childish, or mocking context.
- Example: "Oh, boo-hoo, you didn't get your way!"
Table of Slang Terms for Crying
| Slang Term | Meaning/Connotation | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Ugly Cry | Intense, unrestrained crying that distorts one's face. | "She had an ugly cry watching the movie finale." |
| Waterworks | Tears; the act of starting to cry, often a flood of tears. | "Here come the waterworks again!" |
| Bawl | To cry loudly and unrestrainedly. | "The child started to bawl when he lost his toy." |
| Blubber | To weep noisily and uncontrollably. | "He was blubbering about his breakup." |
| Blub | Informal shorthand for blubbering. | "Don't just sit there and blub, tell me what's wrong." |
| Sniffle | To cry mildly, often with suppressed sobs and sniffing. | "She managed a sniffle, trying to hold back tears." |
| Tear Up | To begin to cry, with tears welling in the eyes. | "He started to tear up during the emotional speech." |
| Cry a River | To cry excessively or dramatically. | "You don't need to cry a river over a spilled drink!" |
| Boo-Hoo | Mimics crying sounds; often used mockingly. | "Oh, boo-hoo, did someone hurt your feelings?" |
These slang terms provide nuanced ways to describe crying, offering insights into the specific nature or intensity of the emotional expression.
