Definition

The condition of being full of tears or feeling sad and emotional.

Example

Her tearfulness during the movie made everyone around her feel emotional too.

Conversation

I watched that movie last night, and it really got to me.

Oh really? Was it sad?

Definitely, the tearfulness of the main character was so relatable.

I hate when movies do that — they always make me cry!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tearfulness → It is formed from "tear" (from Old English *tǣr*, meaning a drop of clear salty liquid produced by glands in the eyes) and "-fulness" (meaning the state of being full of). The word "tearfulness" means the state of being full of tears or the quality of shedding tears.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tears' as drops of liquid from the eyes, and '-fulness' means being full of something. So, tearfulness is being full of tears.

Visually Confused Words