Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition tear in British English

tear noun

[countable] noun
/tɪə(r)/
1

a drop of liquid that comes from your eye when you cry

Example

Her eyes filled with tears.

Example

She welcomed Ian with tears of joy when he returned home.

Synonyms and related words
tears cry tearful
1.1

the state of crying

Example

I was left standing there in tears.

Example

She slammed the phone down and burst into tears.

Example

I was near to tears when she said goodbye.

Example

Colin saw I was on the verge of tears.

Example

She fought back the tears as she told us the dreadful news.

Example

He was well known for reducing his staff to tears.

Synonyms and related words
tears cry tearful
2

to start to cry suddenly

Example

Debbie broke into tears when her mom said that her dog had died.

3

to show a sudden burst of energy or activity

Example

I could go on a tear myself about lazy and unrepentant resort to journalese or fashion copy that makes me break out in hives.

Example

The economy in Brazil is on a tear.

4

to go on a drinking binge

Example

Every once in a while I'd go off on a tear and the day after was usually a wash.

Definition tear in British English

Related Words

Words related to tear:

bring a tear to someone’s eye (phrase) cut/tear etc something to ribbons (phrase) to pieces (phrase) something to pieces (phrase) tear (verb) tear (noun) tear (noun) tear apart (phrasal verb) tear at (phrasal verb) tear away (phrasal verb) tear down (phrasal verb) tear gas (noun) tear gland (noun) tear into (phrasal verb) tear off (phrasal verb) tear to (phrase) tear something open (phrase) tear through (phrasal verb) tear up (phrasal verb) your hair out (phrase) someone limb from limb (phrase) to shreds (phrase) wear and tear (noun)