# fired

/ˈfaɪɝd/ (US) · /fˈaɪəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fired
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. dismissed from a job

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

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

verb · CEFR B1

shot a gun or another weapon.

For teachers: discharged a firearm or other projectile weapon.

- The starting official fired the pistol and the runners began the race.
- The battery of cannons fired a ceremonial salute as the naval vessel entered the harbour for the anniversary celebrations.

### 3. hardened by heat

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: subjected to high temperatures in a kiln or furnace to achieve chemical or physical hardening.

- The artist showed us the fired clay pots before she painted them.
- The archaeological team recovered several fragments of fired brick, suggesting that the ancient structure had been built to withstand significant environmental stress.

## Examples

- He was fired for being late to work every day.
- The manager warned the staff that anyone caught stealing from the inventory would be fired immediately.
- While some employees were merely laid off due to budget cuts, the lead developer was fired for a significant breach of the company's data security protocols.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.