crybaby
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A person, especially a child, who cries frequently or with little cause: This is the most common meaning. A crybaby is someone who cries easily, often over minor problems or disappointments. 2. A person who complains excessively: This extends the meaning to an adult or anyone who habitually expresses dissatisfaction or distress in a whining or childish manner.
Examples
- Noun:
- Don't be such a crybaby; it's only a small scratch.
- The team captain called him a crybaby for complaining about the referee's decision.
- She was labeled the office crybaby because she always whined about her workload.
Advanced Usage
- Used as a modifier: The term can function attributively to describe behavior or traits.
- He has a crybaby attitude whenever things don't go his way.
- Figurative use: Can be applied to organizations or groups perceived as complaining unjustly.
- The opposing party accused the government of being a bunch of crybabies about the media criticism.
Variants and Related Words
- Cry-baby (noun): An alternative hyphenated spelling with the same meaning.
Synonyms
- Whiner: A person who complains in a feeble or petulant way.
- Complainer: A person who expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance frequently.
- Sore loser: A person who becomes upset or angry after losing a game or contest. (This is a specific context for 'crybaby').
- Milksop (dated): A timid or feeble man or boy.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To cry like a baby: To weep uncontrollably or in a manner considered childish.
- After watching the sad movie, he cried like a baby.
- To play the crybaby: To deliberately act in a whining or complaining manner to gain sympathy.
- Stop playing the crybaby and just do your share of the work.
Noun
- a person given to excessive complaints and crying and whining
- a person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy