tearful
UK: ˈtɪəfəl | US: ˈtɪrfəl
adj. filled with or shedding tears; sorrowful
adj. causing or likely to cause tears; mournful
The word "tearful" combines "tear" (Old English tēar, meaning a drop of liquid from the eye) and the suffix "-ful" (Old English -full, meaning "full of"). The suffix "-ful" is derived from the adjective "full," indicating abundance or presence of a quality. Together, "tearful" literally means "full of tears," reflecting its modern usage to describe someone who is crying or a situation that evokes sadness. The word’s structure is straightforward, preserving the original spelling of both morphemes while clearly conveying its emotional connotation.
She gave a tearful goodbye to her friends before moving away.
The movie’s ending was so touching that it left the audience tearful.
His tearful apology showed how deeply he regretted his actions.
The child’s tearful eyes made it impossible to refuse her request.
The memorial service was a tearful occasion for everyone present.