English Reference
adjective · verb

exhausting

adj. · v.
US /ɪɡˈzɔstɪŋ/ UK /ɛɡzˈɔːstɪŋ/ ex·haust·ing

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    adj.making you feel extremely tired, either physically or mentally.

    adj.causing extreme physical or mental fatigue; a gradable adjective often used to describe tasks or experiences.

    Simple

    The long hike up the mountain was exhausting, but the view was worth it.

    In context

    After an exhausting twelve-hour shift at the hospital, the surgeon had barely enough energy to drive home safely.

    Usage

    Commonly modifies nouns like 'work', 'day', 'trip', or 'process'.

    Pitfall
    I am very exhausting after the long walk. I am very exhausted after the long walk.

    Use 'exhausting' to describe the thing that makes you tired (the walk), and 'exhausted' to describe how you feel.

    energizingrefreshing
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.the act of using all of a supply of something until nothing is left.

    v.the present participle of 'exhaust', referring to the total depletion of a resource, supply, or possibility.

    Simple

    Exhausting our water supply so early in the trip was a serious mistake.

    In context

    The legal team spent months exhausting every possible avenue of appeal before finally admitting defeat in the high court.

    Usage

    Often used in the continuous tense or as a gerund acting as a noun.

    replenishingsaving
This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated