To weep means to cry, especially in a way that shows deep sadness or strong emotion. When someone weeps, tears flow down their face, often accompanied by quiet sobs or shaking shoulders. You might weep after losing a beloved pet, saying goodbye to a close friend who's moving away, or watching a movie scene that touches your heart deeply.

Weeping is different from ordinary crying. A toddler might cry loudly when denied a cookie, but weeping suggests a more profound sorrow or overwhelming feeling. In literature and stories, characters often weep at funerals, after terrible losses, or during moments of intense relief after a long struggle. Sometimes people weep from joy too: a parent might weep watching their child graduate or perform beautifully on stage.

The word has an old-fashioned, literary quality to it. In everyday conversation, people usually say “cry” instead. But weep appears frequently in books, poems, and formal writing, where it captures the weight and dignity of tears shed for something that truly matters.