weep
C1Literary, formal, sometimes archaic; less common in casual speech.
Definition
Meaning
To shed tears as an expression of strong emotion, especially grief or sorrow.
To exude liquid slowly, often as if sympathetically (e.g., a weeping wound). Also used figuratively for objects or natural features that appear to droop or drip moisture.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes quiet, deep, or prolonged crying rather than loud sobbing. Often implies a greater degree of emotional intensity or sorrow than 'cry'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both varieties use it predominantly in literary or figurative contexts. 'Cry' is far more common in everyday speech in both regions.
Connotations
Conveys a stronger, more profound sense of grief, despair, or poignant beauty.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in modern informal speech for both, though slightly more persistent in UK English in certain fixed expressions and literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
weep (for/over sb/sth)weep with sth (with grief/joy)weep at sthweep to-inf (wept to see it)weep oneself to sleepVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “weep buckets”
- “a weeping willow”
- “weep bitter tears”
- “weep for the moon (archaic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or historical texts.
Everyday
Uncommon in spoken English; 'cry' is preferred.
Technical
Used in medicine ('weeping eczema') and botany ('weeping' as a growth habit).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She wept quietly throughout the funeral service.
- The old wall wept with damp after the storm.
- He wept bitter tears of regret.
American English
- He wept openly when he heard the news.
- The wound was still weeping a clear fluid.
- I could have wept with frustration.
adverb
British English
- Not standardly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not standardly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- A weeping sore requires medical attention.
- She planted a beautiful weeping cherry tree.
American English
- The patient had a weeping rash on his arm.
- They sat under the shade of a weeping willow.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little girl began to weep when she lost her toy.
- Don't weep, everything will be alright.
- She wept uncontrollably at the end of the sad film.
- The novel's tragic ending made many readers weep.
- He wept for the lost innocence of his youth.
- Ancient ballads often tell of knights weeping over fallen comrades.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WEEP: When Emotions Escape Profusely.
Conceptual Metaphor
SADNESS IS A FLUID IN A CONTAINER (The heart/grief overflows as tears).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'плакать' which covers both 'cry' and 'weep'. 'Weep' is specifically for deep, sorrowful crying. Avoid using 'weep' for minor complaints ('whine' = ныть).
Common Mistakes
- *I weeped yesterday. (Correct: I wept yesterday.)
- Overusing 'weep' in informal contexts where 'cry' is natural.
- Confusing 'weep' with 'whimper' (a low, broken sound).
Practice
Quiz
Which context is LEAST appropriate for the verb 'weep'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The past tense and past participle of 'weep' is 'wept'.
Yes, 'weep' is more literary and formal, and often suggests deeper, quieter sorrow than the more general 'cry'.
Yes, figuratively. Trees (weeping willow), wounds, walls, or statues can be described as 'weeping' if they exude moisture or appear to droop sorrowfully.
'Sob' implies audible, convulsive crying with gasps. 'Weep' focuses on the flow of tears and can be silent.