English Reference
adjective

drained

adj.
US /ˈdɹeɪnd/ UK /dɹˈeɪnd/ drained

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    feeling very tired and having no energy left, often because of hard work or stress.

    depleted of physical or emotional energy; experiencing a state of total exhaustion.

    Simple

    After working twelve hours without a break, she felt completely drained.

    In context

    The emotional toll of the long trial left the family feeling utterly drained, despite the eventual success of their legal challenge.

    exhaustedspentworn out
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    having had all the liquid removed from inside.

    completely emptied of liquid content through a pipe, hole, or natural runoff.

    Simple

    The workers stood at the bottom of the drained swimming pool to fix the tiles.

    In context

    The drained marshland was eventually converted into fertile agricultural soil, though the process required constant maintenance of the irrigation channels.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    having no power left in a battery.

    completely discharged of electrical energy.

    Simple

    I couldn't call you because my phone battery was drained.

    In context

    The technician noted that the backup power supply was completely drained, suggesting a failure in the automated charging circuit.

In contrast, we might get bored either by watching the sitcom when we’re ready for a challenge or by trying to do the hard task when we’re already drained.

JSTOR Daily· 25 Aug 2026

When I see that I’m exhausted, I’m drained.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

From drain + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated