cry out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Mainly spoken and informal written; can be formal in figurative use (e.g., 'crying out for reform').
Quick answer
What does “cry out” mean?
To shout or speak suddenly, loudly, and often emotionally, due to a strong feeling like pain, fear, surprise, or need.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To shout or speak suddenly, loudly, and often emotionally, due to a strong feeling like pain, fear, surprise, or need.
To urgently and publicly demand or call for something, often in a figurative sense; to be a very obvious sign of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant syntactic or semantic differences. 'Cry out for' (meaning 'to need urgently') is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of urgency and emotional/physical intensity.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “cry out” in a Sentence
[Subject] cry out (in [Emotion/Pain])[Subject] cry out for [Noun/Ing][Subject] cry out [Direct Speech][Subject] cry out against [Injustice/Issue]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cry out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He nearly cried out in shock when he saw the queue.
- The state of the pavements cries out for council funding.
American English
- She cried out for help when her car got stuck.
- This problem is crying out for a simple solution.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- N/A (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- N/A (Not used as an adjective)
American English
- N/A (Not used as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used literally. Figuratively: 'The latest sales figures cry out for a new strategy.'
Academic
Used in analysis: 'The historical record cries out for reinterpretation.'
Everyday
Common: 'She cried out when she stubbed her toe.' 'This room is crying out for a fresh coat of paint.'
Technical
Uncommon, except perhaps in medical contexts describing patient reactions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cry out”
- Incorrect: 'She cried out me.' Correct: 'She cried out to me.' or 'She cried out my name.'
- Overusing in formal writing where 'exclaim' or 'declare' might be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cry out' typically implies a more sudden, involuntary, and emotionally charged vocalization (pain, fear, surprise). 'Shout' can be more deliberate, forceful, or simply loud without the same emotional necessity.
Typically, no. 'Cry out' is an inseparable phrasal verb. 'Cry it out' is a separate idiomatic phrase related to letting a baby cry itself to sleep.
Its literal use is neutral to informal. Its figurative use ('cries out for reform') is acceptable in formal and academic registers.
It means to protest or express strong public disapproval about something. E.g., 'Activists cried out against the new policy.'
To shout or speak suddenly, loudly, and often emotionally, due to a strong feeling like pain, fear, surprise, or need.
Cry out: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkraɪ ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkraɪ ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a crying shame”
- “for crying out loud (exclamation of frustration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone who sees a spider and CRies OUT loud—it's a sudden, loud, emotional sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEED IS A CRY (e.g., 'The city cries out for investment') | PAIN/EMOTION IS A FORCE THAT ESCAPES AS SOUND.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'cry out' used in a PURELY figurative sense?