weeping copiously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weeping copiously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is crying a lot or shedding tears abundantly, often in a context of deep emotion or sorrow. Example: "After hearing the tragic news, she was weeping copiously, unable to contain her grief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The little boy behind the bars was weeping copiously, his tears hot with despair.

The New York Times

The woman with the worst tale of woe and most engagingly pathetic air usually carried the day, weeping copiously as she was crowned.

The New Yorker

Think of Mel Gibson weeping copiously in "Ransom," then exercising vigilante justice, or Mr. Gibson as a rakish playboy in "What Women Want," learning to empathize with women after gaining the ability to read their minds.

The New York Times

Nor did Mr. Cronkite later drive his two-seater Alfa Romeo through the front gate at Sinatra's Palm Springs home, weeping copiously and challenging the singer to "come out from behind Giancana's skirts".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But then again, if you didn't have a heart of stone, you would probably be weeping too copiously at the proposed reforms – "paused" or not – to staunch your tears quickly enough to enjoy the moment.

The Guardian

By the time the lung inflates in the new home Dr D has made for it in Mary Ann's longsuffering body, you are weeping on the sofa as copiously as you did when Dr Green died or Doug Ross saved a baby.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Balanchine, weeping.

The New York Times

No wailing nor weeping.

The New Yorker

And he starts weeping.

The New Yorker

Adele exits weeping.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They're weeping.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "weeping copiously" to add emphasis to the act of crying, suggesting a strong emotional response. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative writing to convey the depth of a character's sorrow or despair.

Common error

Avoid using "weeping copiously" excessively in dialogue. It can sound unnatural if a character explicitly describes their own crying in such a formal way. Instead, show the character's distress through actions and subtle cues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weeping copiously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how the action of weeping is performed. Ludwig shows how this intensifies the meaning, indicating a great amount of tears are shed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weeping copiously" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe intense crying. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is accurate. Although relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts to emphasize deep sorrow or emotional distress. Alternative phrases include "crying profusely" or "sobbing uncontrollably". While effective in narrative, overuse in dialogue should be avoided for naturalness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crying profusely

Emphasizes the abundance of tears, similar to "weeping copiously" but using different vocabulary.

weeping unrestrainedly

Emphasizes the lack of control or inhibition in the act of weeping.

sobbing uncontrollably

Focuses on the lack of control over the crying, highlighting the intensity of emotion.

shedding tears profusely

A more descriptive and somewhat formal way to express abundant crying.

bawling intensely

Suggests a loud and unrestrained form of weeping, adding an element of sound.

crying buckets

An informal idiom to describe crying a lot.

crying a river

Idiomatic expression indicating a large quantity of tears shed.

inconsolable weeping

Highlights the inability to be comforted while crying.

pouring tears

A vivid metaphor for the continuous flow of tears.

streaming tears

Similar to 'pouring tears' but focuses more on the visual aspect of tears running down the face.

FAQs

What does "weeping copiously" mean?

It means crying a lot or shedding tears abundantly. It suggests intense sorrow or emotional distress.

What can I say instead of "weeping copiously"?

You can use alternatives like "crying profusely", "sobbing uncontrollably", or "shedding tears profusely".

Is "weeping copiously" formal or informal?

"Weeping copiously" is considered more formal than simply saying "crying a lot". It adds a degree of intensity and descriptive detail to the act of crying.

How can I use "weeping copiously" in a sentence?

Example: "After receiving the devastating news, she was "weeping copiously", unable to speak through her tears."