tears
B1 (Intermediate)Neutral; used in both formal and informal contexts. The metaphorical use is common in literary and everyday emotional discourse.
Definition
Meaning
The plural form of 'tear', referring to drops of clear, salty liquid produced by glands in the eyes, typically as a result of emotion, irritation, or physical reaction.
Can metaphorically represent sorrow, grief, intense emotion, or the act of crying. Also used to describe things resembling tears in shape (e.g., fabric tears, tears in paper).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a plural noun, it almost always refers to the liquid from crying. The singular 'tear' (/tɪər/) is the unit; 'tears' is the phenomenon or quantity. Distinguish from the verb 'to tear' (/teər/, meaning to rip), which has the same spelling in third person singular ('he tears the paper').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Minor potential differences in metaphorical phrasing frequency (e.g., 'bored to tears' is common in both).
Connotations
Identical. Both associate tears with sadness, joy, pain, or physical irritation.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Tears + verb (streamed, fell, flowed)Verb + tears (shed, wipe, fight back)Adjective + tears (hot, bitter, happy)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bored to tears”
- “blood, sweat, and tears”
- “crocodile tears”
- “without tears (as in 'learning without tears')”
- “tears of a clown”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical contexts like 'blood, sweat, and tears' to describe hard work.
Academic
Used in psychology, literature, and medical contexts (e.g., 'lachrymal glands produce tears').
Everyday
Extremely common for describing emotional states or physical reactions (e.g., 'onion tears').
Technical
In ophthalmology or physiology, referring to the secretion and composition of tears.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Her tears were a genuine response to the sad film.
- The cold wind brought tears to his eyes.
- They wept tears of relief at the news.
American English
- Tears rolled down her cheeks during the speech.
- I always get tears when I chop onions.
- He wiped away his tears and tried to smile.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby's tears stopped when his mother picked him up.
- She had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.
- He tried to hide his tears during the emotional farewell.
- Tears of joy are common at weddings.
- The poignant story moved the audience to tears.
- She fought back tears as she delivered the difficult news.
- His tears were not of sorrow, but of profound gratitude and release.
- The film's climax is a cathartic moment where tears signify emotional breakthrough.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Tears' clear your eyes just as 'ears' hear sounds – both are pairs on your face.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEARS ARE LIQUID EMOTIONS / TEARS ARE A PURGING FORCE / TEARS ARE PRECIOUS OBJECTS (e.g., 'pearls of tears').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of idioms (e.g., 'crocodile tears' exists as 'крокодиловы слёзы'). Note: Russian uses plural 'слёзы' similarly, but verb collocations differ (e.g., 'лить слёзы' vs 'shed tears').
Common Mistakes
- Confusing plural 'tears' (/tɪəz/) with verb 'tears' (/teəz/) meaning rips. Using 'tear' as singular for multiple instances (incorrect: 'She had a tear in her eyes' meaning multiple drops).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase means 'false or insincere tears'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring to the liquid from crying, it is almost always used in the plural form ('tears'). The singular 'a tear' is possible but less common, referring to a single drop.
Yes, phrases like 'tears of joy' or 'happy tears' are common and accepted.
'Tears' refers specifically to the liquid drops. 'Crying' is the action or process that produces tears.
Tears (from eyes): /tɪəz/ (UK), /tɪrz/ (US). Tears (rips): /teəz/ (UK), /terz/ (US). The vowel sound is the key difference.