Tear vs. Tears — What's the Difference?

To pull apart or into pieces by force.

Secretion for eye lubrication.

To make a hole or split in something by pulling it apart.

The watery fluid that flows from the eyes.

To divide or disrupt a group or place.

A response to physical irritation of the eyes.

To damage something by ripping it.

A sign of emotional distress or pain.

To move very quickly and forcefully.

An expression of overwhelming emotion.

To pull apart or into pieces by force; rend.

Tears are a clear liquid secreted by the lacrimal glands (tear gland) found in the eyes of all land mammals (except for goats and rabbits). Their functions include lubricating the eyes (basal tears), removing irritants (reflex tears), and aiding the immune system.

To cause to be pulled apart unintentionally, as by accident

To pull apart or into pieces by force; rend.

To lacerate (the skin, for example).

To cause to be pulled apart unintentionally, as by accident

To make (an opening) in something by pulling it apart or by accident

To lacerate (the skin, for example).

To separate forcefully; wrench

To make (an opening) in something by pulling it apart or by accident

To divide or disrupt

To separate forcefully; wrench

To become torn

To divide or disrupt

To move with heedless speed; rush headlong

To become torn

To become filled with tears

To move with heedless speed; rush headlong

The act of tearing.

To become filled with tears

The result of tearing; a rip or rent

The act of tearing.

A great rush; a hurry.

The result of tearing; a rip or rent

(Slang) A carousal; a spree.

A great rush; a hurry.

A drop of the clear salty liquid that is secreted by the lachrymal gland of the eye to lubricate the surface between the eyeball and eyelid and to wash away irritants.

(Slang) A carousal; a spree.

Tears A profusion of this liquid spilling from the eyes and wetting the cheeks, especially as an expression of emotion.

A drop of the clear salty liquid that is secreted by the lachrymal gland of the eye to lubricate the surface between the eyeball and eyelid and to wash away irritants.

Tears The act of weeping

Tears A profusion of this liquid spilling from the eyes and wetting the cheeks, especially as an expression of emotion.

A drop of a liquid or hardened fluid.

Tears The act of weeping

(transitive) To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.

A drop of a liquid or hardened fluid.

(transitive) To injure as if by pulling apart.

Plural of tear

(transitive) To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.

Viscous streaks left on the inside of the glass when certain wines are swirled around before tasting.

(transitive) To make (an opening) with force or energy.

The process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds);

To remove by tearing.

To demolish

(intransitive) To become torn, especially accidentally.

(intransitive) To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.

(intransitive) To smash or enter something with great force.

(intransitive) To produce tears.

A hole or break caused by tearing.

(slang) A rampage.

A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.

Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.

(glass manufacture) A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.

That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.

A drop of the limpid, saline fluid secreted, normally in small amount, by the lachrymal gland, and diffused between the eye and the eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion. Ordinarily the secretion passes through the lachrymal duct into the nose, but when it is increased by emotion or other causes, it overflows the lids.

Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.

That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.

A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.

The act of tearing, or the state of being torn; a rent; a fissure.

To separate by violence; to pull apart by force; to rend; to lacerate; as, to tear cloth; to tear a garment; to tear the skin or flesh.

Hence, to divide by violent measures; to disrupt; to rend; as, a party or government torn by factions.

To rend away; to force away; to remove by force; to sunder; as, a child torn from its home.

To pull with violence; as, to tear the hair.

To move violently; to agitate.

To divide or separate on being pulled; to be rent; as, this cloth tears easily.

To move and act with turbulent violence; to rush with violence; hence, to rage; to rave.

A drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands;

An opening made forcibly as by pulling apart;

An occasion for excessive eating or drinking;

The act of tearing;

Separate or cause to separate abruptly;

To separate or be separated by force;

Move quickly and violently;

Strip of feathers;

Fill with tears or shed tears;

Yes, tearing can be either intentional or accidental, depending on the context and the force applied.

No, tears can be caused by a variety of emotions including happiness, sadness, or even from physical irritants like dust.

Yes, tears help to lubricate and protect the eyes by removing irritants and maintaining moisture.

Tear (verb) rhymes with "bear", while tears (noun) rhymes with "fears."

While involuntary tears due to emotions or reflexes are hard to control, some people can suppress or manage their tear response.

Yes, tearing a document like a contract or will can indicate cancellation or invalidation.

Materials like paper, cloth, and other fibrous materials are more susceptible to tearing due to their structure.

It means to pull or rip along a pre-marked line, usually indicated on packaging, to make opening easier.

No, some types of paper, like cardstock or thick craft paper, are more resistant to tearing.

Physical tears occur due to forceful pulling or ripping, stressing the material beyond its capacity.

Tears provide essential moisture and lubrication, which help maintain clear and healthy vision.

Tearing up refers to the welling of tears in the eyes, often without full emotional breakdown, while crying includes the shedding of tears.

Crying and shedding tears can provide emotional relief and are sometimes seen as a healthy way to express and process feelings.

Preventing tearing can involve careful handling, using appropriate tools, and reinforcing materials where needed.

Movies often trigger emotional responses through storytelling, leading to the production of tears.