English Reference
adjective · verb

expired

adj. · v.
US /ɪkˈspaɪɹd/ UK /ɛkspˈaɪəd/ ex·pired

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.no longer useful or legal because the set time has passed.

    adj.having reached the end of a period of validity; no longer legally or practically effective.

    Simple

    I couldn't board the plane because my passport was expired.

    In context

    The security guard refused entry to the visitor, noting that the identification badge had been expired for several months.

    Usage

    Often used as a predicative adjective after 'is' or 'has'.

    invalidvoidout of date
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    v.the past action of coming to an end or dying.

    v.the past tense of 'expire', indicating that a time limit has passed or a person has ceased to breathe.

    Simple

    The old contract expired last night at midnight.

    In context

    The patient expired peacefully in the early hours of the morning, surrounded by his immediate family.

    Teacher's tip

    Using 'expired' for a person's death is very formal and mostly found in medical or legal contexts; 'passed away' is more common for general use.

    endedterminatedpassed away

US president says Iran should 'put up the white flag of surrender' as the two nations’ MoU expired on Monday.

Al Jazeera· 18 Aug 2026

There were large quantities of expired equipment, that was past its useful life.

BBC News· 14 Jul 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated