cry
gb/kɹˈaɪ/ us/kɹˈaɪ/
A1
English
~ 1500
sír, kiált, kiáltás, sírás, csatakiáltás, mozgósító jelszó
VERB
A1
1
sír
A1
Usage pattern:
to cry [because/due to] [reason]
She began to cry when she heard the bad news.
Sírni kezdett, amikor meghallotta a rossz hírt.
He cried softly in the corner.
Halkan sírt a sarokban.
I sometimes cry during sad movies.
The baby cried all night because of the fever.
Learner examples
I cry when I am sad.
Sírok, amikor szomorú vagyok.
The baby is crying now.
A baba most sír.
She cried after the movie.
He cried when he hurt his leg.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'cry' with 'shout' because in some languages the same word is used for both actions.
Meaning
shed tears from the eyes
Collocations
cry loudly
|cry softly
|cry bitterly
|cry with joy
|cry in pain
Synonyms
weep (Slightly more formal and literary; often implies quiet or gentle crying.)
Antonyms
laugh (Opposite emotional expression; laughter often signals joy rather than sadness.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To have water come from your eyes because you are sad, hurt, or feel strongly.
To produce tears from the eyes, usually because of sadness, pain, or strong emotion.
VERB
A2
2
kiált
B1
Usage pattern:
to cry [for] [help/someone]
She cried for help when she saw the fire.
Segítségért kiáltott, amikor meglátta, hogy tűz van.
He cried out in pain as he fell.
Fájdalmában felkiáltott, amikor elesett.
The coach cried instructions from the sideline.
Learner examples
I cried for help when I fell.
Segítségért kiáltottam, amikor elestem.
She cried my name across the street.
Az utca túloldaláról átkiáltotta a nevemet.
He cried out when he touched the hot pan.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'shed tears'; context is key to distinguish them.
Meaning
call out loudly
Collocations
cry for help
|cry out in pain
|cry someone's name
Synonyms
shout (More common in modern English for loud vocalization; 'cry' can sound more dramatic or emotional.)
Antonyms
whisper (Speaking very softly, opposite of calling out loudly.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say something loudly so people can hear you far away.
To shout or call out in a loud voice, often to attract attention or express emotion.
NOUN
A2
3
A cry came from the dark alley.
Kiáltás hallatszott a sötét sikátorból.
Her cry of joy filled the room.
Örömkiáltása betöltötte a szobát.
We heard a cry for help from the river.
Learner examples
I heard a cry outside.
Kintről kiáltást hallottam.
She made a loud cry when she saw him.
Hangosan felkiáltott, amikor meglátta.
The baby gave a short cry.
Meaning
act or sound of crying or calling out
Collocations
a loud cry
|a cry for help
|a cry of pain
Synonyms
shout (When referring to the loud vocalization aspect; less emotional than 'cry'.)
Antonyms
silence (Absence of sound; opposite of making a cry.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The act of crying or shouting.
An act of producing tears or a loud call, especially as an expression of emotion or need.
NOUN
B1
4
csatakiáltás
B2
'Freedom!' was their battle cry.
„Szabadság!” volt a csatakiáltásuk.
The team's rallying cry was heard throughout the stadium.
A csapat csatakiáltása az egész stadionban hallatszott.
The protesters shouted their cry for justice.
Learner examples
They shouted their battle cry.
Felhangzott a csatakiáltásuk.
The fans had a rallying cry.
A szurkolóknak saját csatakiáltásuk volt.
We heard their cry for freedom.
Meaning
group slogan or shout
Collocations
battle cry
|rallying cry
Synonyms
chant (Often repeated rhythmically; 'cry' can be a single exclamation.)
Themes
communication
|sports
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short phrase people shout together to show they are part of a group or support something.
A word, phrase, or shout used by a group of people to express shared feelings, support, or identity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cry
IPA
GB/kɹˈaɪ/
US/kɹˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
cry (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cry)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cry
- Plural: cries
Verb
- Base: cry
- 3rd Person Singular: cries
- Present Participle: crying
- Past: cried
Word family
Expressions
battle cry
1/bˈætəl kɹˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
fighters' shouted slogan
A short phrase shouted by people before a fight or competition to show strength or unity.
Examples
- 'No surrender!' was their battle cry.
- The crowd joined in the team's battle cry.
cry for help
1/kɹˈaɪ fɚ hˈɛlp/
fixed phrase
call out for urgent help
To shout because you need help right away.
Examples
- I heard her cry for help from inside the burning house.
- His sudden message online felt like a cry for help.
cry one's eyes out
1/kɹˈaɪ wˈʌnz ˈaɪz ˈaʊt/
idiom
informal
cry very heavily
To cry a lot and for a long time.
Examples
- She cried her eyes out after the breakup.
- He cried his eyes out when his dog died.
rallying cry
1/ɹˈæliɪŋ kɹˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
inspiring slogan for unity
A phrase used to make people work together for a common goal.
Examples
- The speech became a rallying cry for reform.
- 'Save our planet!' was their rallying cry.
cry over spilt milk
1/kɹˈaɪ ˈoʊvɚ spˈɪlt mˈɪlk/
idiom
regret something irreversible
To be sad about something that already happened and cannot be changed.
Examples
- It's no use crying over spilt milk—let's move on.
- It's no use crying over spilt milk—we need to fix what's left.
- She told him not to cry over spilt milk after he lost the game.
- She knows she made a mistake but says there's no point crying over spilt milk.