Words / A2

TEER/tɪə/

A tear /tɪə/ is a drop from the eye when you cry: in tears, wipe a tear, tears of joy. Cry is the verb. The verb tear /teə/ means pull something so it rips — a different word with different sound. Tire is American for tyre. Do not write tear when you mean the verb tear /teə/, or tier (a level).

Meaning

A drop of liquid that comes from the eye when you cry.

Examples

• “A tear ran down her face when she said goodbye.”
• “She wiped a tear away before she boarded.”
• “There were tears in the waiting room when the delay was announced.”

Good to know

a tear / in tears (/tɪə/). Verb mix-up: tear /teə/ (rip). Not: tier.

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