Crier or Cryer: What Is the Difference? (2026)

Many people feel confused when they see the words crier and cryer. They look almost the same. They both come from the verb cry. They both seem to mean “someone who cries.” Because of this, students, ESL learners, and even native speakers often ask: Which one is correct? Are they the same word?

The good news is that the difference is simple. Once you understand it, you will not forget it. This article explains everything in very clear and easy English, step by step.

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Quick Answer

Here is the short and clear answer:

• Crier ✅ is the correct and common word
  
• Crier means:
  
  • a person who cries (shows strong feelings)
    
  • or a person who makes public announcements (like a town crier)
    
• Cryer ❌ is not standard English
  
• Cryer is usually a spelling mistake
  

If you remember only one thing, remember this:
Use “crier,” not “cryer.”

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Simple Background: Where These Words Come From

To understand crier, we need to look at the verb cry.

The verb cry can mean:

• to shed tears because you are sad, happy, or emotional
  
• to shout or call out loudly
  

In older English, when people added -er to verbs, spelling sometimes changed to make the word easier to say and read. That is what happened here.

• cry + -er → crier
  

The y changes to i before -er.
This same change happens in other words too:

• try → trier
  
• dry → drier
  

So crier follows a normal English spelling rule.

Cryer does not follow this rule, which is why it is not accepted in modern English.

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Clear Explanation of the Difference

What Does “Crier” Mean?

Crier is a real English word with two main meanings.

1. A person who cries

This meaning is common in daily English.

Examples:

• She is a crier when she watches sad movies.
  
• He is not a crier, but the story moved him.
  

Here, crier means a person who shows emotion by crying.

2. A person who makes public announcements

This meaning is older but still used, especially in history or news.

Examples:

• The town crier read the news in the village.
  
• In the past, a crier shared laws and messages.
  

In this meaning, cry means “to shout or call out.”

What Does “Cryer” Mean?

Cryer is not a standard English word.

• It does not appear in normal dictionaries
  
• Teachers and editors mark it as a spelling mistake
  
• It is not used in correct writing
  

If you see cryer, it is almost always an error.

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Comparison Table: Crier vs Cryer

Point	Crier	Cryer
Is it correct English?	Yes	No
Commonly used?	Yes	No
Found in dictionaries?	Yes	No
Meaning	A person who cries or announces	None
Used in school writing	Yes	No
Safe to use	Yes	No

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Which One to Use and When

Always use crier.

Use crier when:

• talking about someone who cries easily
  
• talking about strong emotions
  
• talking about a town crier or public announcer
  
• writing essays, emails, stories, or messages
  

Do not use cryer:

• not in school work
  
• not in exams
  
• not in professional writing
  
• not in casual messages
  

If you are unsure, choose crier. It is always the safe choice.

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Common Mistakes People Make

Many learners make the same mistakes. Let’s look at them.

Mistake 1: Thinking “cryer” sounds more correct

Some people think:

• cry + er = cryer
  

But English spelling does not always work this way.

Correct:

• cry → crier
  

Incorrect:

• cry → cryer
  

Mistake 2: Mixing it with other -er words

People see words like:

• runner
  
• writer
  
• singer
  

So they think cryer should be correct.
But cry follows a different spelling rule.

Mistake 3: Using “cryer” in formal writing

Using cryer in:

• exams
  
• homework
  
• articles
  
• job emails
  

can cause lost marks or look careless.

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Everyday Real-Life Examples

Here are clear examples from daily life.

In Emails

Correct:

• I am not a big crier, but the message touched me.
  

Incorrect:

• I am not a big cryer.
  

In News or Stories

Correct:

• The town crier announced the festival.
  

Incorrect:

• The town cryer announced the festival.
  

On Social Media

Correct:

• Anyone else a crier during emotional videos?
  

Incorrect:

• Anyone else a cryer during emotional videos?
  

In Daily Conversation

Correct:

• She is a happy crier.
  
• He becomes a crier at weddings.
  

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Easy Learning Tips for Students and Beginners

Here are simple ways to remember the right word.

Tip 1: Remember “i before er”

When a verb ends in y:

• change y to i
  
• then add -er
  

Example:

• cry → crier
  

Tip 2: Think of “town crier”

The phrase town crier is very common in English.
If you remember this phrase, you will remember the spelling.

Tip 3: Practice one sentence

Repeat this sentence:

• A crier is someone who cries.
  

Say it out loud a few times. It helps memory.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is “cryer” ever correct?

No. Cryer is not correct in standard English.

2. Why do people still write “cryer”?

Because it looks logical and sounds right, but English spelling rules are different.

3. Can “crier” mean someone who cries a lot?

Yes. A crier can be someone who cries easily or often.

4. What is a town crier?

A town crier is a person who announces news loudly in public, usually in the past.

5. Is “crier” used in modern English?

Yes. It is used for emotions and in historical or formal topics.

6. Will exams mark “cryer” as wrong?

Yes. Most teachers and exam systems consider it incorrect.

7. Are “crier” and “cries” related?

Yes. They both come from the verb cry, but they are used differently.

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Conclusion

The confusion between crier and cryer is very common, but the rule is simple.

• Crier is the correct word
  
• Cryer is a spelling mistake
  
• Crier means:
  
  • a person who cries
    
  • or a person who makes announcements
    

Once you learn this, you can use crier with confidence in school, work, and daily life.

English can be tricky, but with clear rules and practice, it becomes much easier.

Keep learning, keep asking questions, and don’t worry about mistakes—they help you grow. 😊