tears

/ tɪəz /

plural noun

1. the clear salty solution secreted by the lacrimal glands that lubricates and cleanses the surface of the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelids

2. a state of intense frustration (esp in the phrase bored to tears )

3. weeping

4. presented so as to be easily assimilated

   reading without tears

Idioms and Phrases

see bore to death (tears); burst into (tears); crocodile tears. Also see under tear.

Example Sentences

The 25-year-old Czech player had been four games to one ahead in the final set, and burst into tears.

From BBC

Fans wiped away tears as they watched Ripken circle the field, and the thunderous applause never waned throughout the delay.

From Los Angeles Times

Matt Wallace, who finished 12th on the rankings list, was in tears after finishing his final round at the European Masters on Sunday, knowing he was going to miss out.

From BBC

Their stories are harrowing and have reduced even the toughest of their listeners to tears.

From BBC

With a twinkle in her eye, she recalls one groom who was confident he could make it through a reading, only to nearly collapse in tears at the sight of his bride.

From BBC

Related Words

• break 
• crack 
• damage 
• divide 
• grab 
• injure 
• mangle 
• pull 
• rive 
• rupture 
• separate 
• sever 
• shred 
• slash 
• snatch 
• split 
• wrench 
• yank