What does teary mean?
Teary is an adjective meaning tearful or having tears in the eyes. It most often describes a person whose eyes are wet with emotion, as in “she looked teary,” but it can also modify a voice, smile, or performance. The word conveys quiet sadness, tenderness, or being deeply moved rather than necessarily intense sobbing. In British and American English alike, “teary” is especially associated with visible tears and emotional restraint: a teary voice may break slightly, while a teary smile combines happiness with sadness or relief. It is a useful word when the important detail is not simply that someone is crying, but that their emotional state is visible in their face or voice. Although “tearful” is the more formal and sometimes more common alternative, “teary” has a direct, immediately evocative quality and is frequently used in descriptions of eyes and expressions.
adjectiveHaving tears in the eyes or a voice that suggests tears; tearful. It can also describe something that is moving enough to bring tears to the eyes.
- Having tears in the eyes; tearful.
- Showing strong emotion, especially sadness or being moved.
"She gave him a teary smile before saying goodbye."
"The child became teary when she opened the letter."
"He spoke in a teary voice as he recalled his childhood."
Teary captures the instant when emotion makes the eyes shine and the voice tremble.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does teary come from?
Teary is an English formation built from the noun “tear” and the suffix “-y,” which creates an adjective describing something associated with tears. The noun “tear” comes from Old English “tēar,” referring to the drop of liquid secreted by the eye. English also developed related forms such as “tearful,” “tearless,” and “teardrop” from the same root, while “tearily” and “teariness” preserve the adjective's grammatical connections.
Related word forms
How teary is actually used
Teary is neutral and widely used in both British and American English. It often suggests quiet sadness or being emotionally moved, and is commonly used with words such as “eyes,” “voice,” and “smile.”