[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/weep/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [W](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/w/) / weep # weep verb (weep, weeps, wept, weeping); noun (a weep — rare, informal: «a good weep») «weep» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To cry, letting tears fall, usually because you are sad. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#m1) 2. (of a wound or surface) To let out a slow drip of liquid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#m2) 3. (Bible, literature) To cry in grief; «Jesus wept» is the shortest verse in many English Bibles. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#m3) ### In the lessons «Weep» is a more serious or old-fashioned word for «cry», used in stories, poems and the Bible; in everyday talk children say «cry». It tells the reader someone is deeply sad. «Weep for joy» means crying because you are happy. In the UK «Jesus wept!» is also said as a mild swear when annoyed, which some Christians find rude. Phrases: «weep for joy», «weep over», «it makes you weep». ### Examples - The princess began to weep when she lost her ring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#x1) - She wept for joy when her dad came home from the army. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#x2) - The old man wept at his wife's funeral. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#x3) - In the Bible, Jesus wept when his friend Lazarus died. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#x4) - The cut on my knee was weeping a little. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#x5) - It's enough to make you weep — the whole homework got deleted! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#x6) - Then he would sigh and weep. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/#x7) ### Note Irregular: weep → wept (not «weeped»). Weep is more formal or literary than cry. «Jesus wept!» as an exclamation is mild swearing (UK, Australia); avoid it in school. ## In Jewish tradition Interpretation: Tradition notes that Joseph wept in secret and that Abraham's weeping for Sarah shows grief and love, and it is taught that mourners should weep for the dead. The prophets use weeping for national grief, and Job even says his land's furrows "weep" as a figure of speech. In the primary lessons: «Weep» is a more serious or old-fashioned word for «cry», used in stories, poems and the Bible; in everyday talk children say «cry». It tells the reader someone is deeply sad. «Weep for joy» means crying because you are happy. In the UK «Jesus wept!» is also said as a mild swear when annoyed, which some Christians find rude. Phrases: «weep for joy», «weep over», «it makes you weep». ### Examples - And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned toward his brother; and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. (Torah GEN.43.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/weep/#x1) - And Sarah died in Kiriatharba — the same is Hebron — in the land of Canaan; and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (Torah GEN.23.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/weep/#x2) - Behold, their valiant ones cry without; the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly. (Prophets ISA.33.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/weep/#x3) - If my land cry out against me, and the furrows thereof weep together; (Writings JOB.31.38, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/weep/#x4) - Tell it not in Gath, weep not at all; at Beth-le-aphrah roll thyself in the dust. (Prophets MIC.1.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/weep/#x5) ### Note Irregular: weep → wept (not «weeped»). Weep is more formal or literary than cry. «Jesus wept!» as an exclamation is mild swearing (UK, Australia); avoid it in school. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «weep» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/weep/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«weep» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/weep.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «weep» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/weep/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«weep» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/weep.html) on Mova free.