Word
retiring
Phoneticsre·tir·ing
US/ɹiˈtaɪɝɪŋ/
UK/ɹɪtˈaɪəɹɪŋ/
Definitions
01leaving work permanently
B1 · Intermediate
v. stopping work permanently, usually because you have reached a certain age.
v. the present participle of 'retire', referring to the act of permanently leaving one's employment or professional career, typically due to age.
“My father is retiring next month after forty years at the same company.”
“With several senior partners retiring this year, the firm is facing a significant leadership transition that requires careful succession planning.”
Usage
Often used in the continuous tense to describe a planned future event.
Synonyms
02shy or private
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. shy and quiet; someone who prefers to stay away from other people.
adj. characterised by a shy, modest, or reserved temperament; avoiding social contact or publicity.
“She was a quiet, retiring woman who spent most of her time gardening.”
“Despite his fame, the author remained a retiring figure, rarely granting interviews or appearing at public literary festivals.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'shy' or 'reserved' is much more common; 'retiring' is usually reserved for formal character descriptions.
03the act of leaving a job
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of leaving your job for good.
n. the gerund form of 'retire', used to describe the process or act of ending one's professional life.
“His retiring was a big surprise to everyone in the office.”
“The suddenness of the CEO's retiring caused a brief dip in the company's share price as investors sought clarity on the future.”
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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