weepy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “weepy” mean?
Tending to cry easily.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Tending to cry easily; tearful.
Describing something (e.g., a film, story, or mood) that is emotionally sentimental and likely to induce tears.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term similarly.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English in informal contexts. In American English, 'tearjerker' is a more specific and common noun for a sentimental film.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both varieties, more likely found in informal speech or reviews than in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “weepy” in a Sentence
[Subject] feels/get(s) weepy.[Determiner] weepy [noun] (film/mood).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weepy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She felt all weepy after watching the documentary.
- I'm avoiding those weepy Christmas adverts this year.
American English
- The lack of sleep made him feel weepy and irritable.
- It's one of those weepy romance movies my mom loves.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; would only appear in informal commentary within humanities (e.g., film criticism).
Everyday
Used in informal conversation to describe one's mood or a film/TV show.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “weepy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “weepy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weepy”
- Using it as a noun to mean 'a crybaby' (incorrect: 'He's such a weepy.'). The noun form is not standard.
- Overusing it in formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be. When describing a person, it often implies being overly or easily emotional, which can be dismissive. When describing a film, it can be neutral ('a weepy romance') or slightly negative if implying it's overly sentimental and manipulative.
'Weepy' is an adjective describing a state or tendency. 'Crybaby' is a noun and a direct insult for someone (often a child) who cries frequently or over minor things. Calling an adult a 'crybaby' is very derogatory.
No, it is firmly in the informal register. In formal writing, use alternatives like 'tearful', 'emotional', or 'lachrymose'.
Not a standard one. You cannot say 'He is a weepy.' The concept is expressed with the adjective ('a weepy person') or with other nouns like 'crybaby' (negative) or by describing the tendency ('a tendency to weep').
Tending to cry easily.
Weepy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwiːpi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwiːpi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with 'weepy']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'weep' (to cry) + the adjective suffix '-y' meaning 'characterized by'. So, 'weepy' means 'characterized by weeping'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION IS A LIQUID (tears).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'weepy' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?