English Reference
verb · adjective

fired

v. · adj.
US /ˈfaɪɝd/ UK /fˈaɪəd/ fired

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    v.to be told by your boss that you no longer have a job, usually because of a mistake or bad behavior.

    v.to have one's employment terminated by an employer, typically due to performance issues or misconduct.

    Simple

    He was fired from the restaurant after he arrived late three days in a row.

    In context

    The executive was fired immediately following the internal audit, which revealed significant discrepancies in the quarterly expense reports.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice: 'to be fired' or 'to get fired'.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.shot a gun or another weapon.

    v.discharged a firearm or other projectile weapon.

    Simple

    The starting official fired the pistol and the runners began the race.

    In context

    The battery of cannons fired a ceremonial salute as the naval vessel entered the harbour for the anniversary celebrations.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    adj.heated in a very hot oven, like a kiln, to make clay or brick hard and permanent.

    adj.subjected to high temperatures in a kiln or furnace to achieve chemical or physical hardening.

    Simple

    The artist showed us the fired clay pots before she painted them.

    In context

    The archaeological team recovered several fragments of fired brick, suggesting that the ancient structure had been built to withstand significant environmental stress.

    bakedhardenedkiln dried
    unfiredraw

Usage fired projectiles


From fire + -ed.

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

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated