Word
terminated
Phoneticster·mi·nat·ed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɝməˌneɪtɪd/
UK/tˈɜːmɪnˌeɪtɪd/
Definitions
01ended something
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. the past tense of 'terminate', meaning you ended something officially.
v. the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'terminate', indicating the official conclusion of an agreement or process.
“The company terminated the contract because the work was not finished on time.”
“The legal department terminated the partnership agreement immediately after the breach of confidentiality was discovered.”
Usage
Often used in legal or business contexts with a direct object.
02having ended
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. describes something that has finished or reached its final point.
adj. describing a state in which a process, sequence, or legal status has reached its conclusion.
“The terminated project was archived so the team could focus on new tasks.”
“The report detailed all terminated accounts that had shown no activity for over twenty-four months.”
03fired from a job
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. describes someone who has been told they no longer have a job.
adj. referring to an individual whose employment has been ended by the employer.
“The terminated employees were given two weeks of extra pay.”
“Human Resources conducted exit interviews with the terminated staff to ensure all company property was returned.”
Teaching tip
This is a very formal way to say someone was fired; it is common in HR documents but can sound cold in conversation.
Real-World Examples
“His role at a Cambridge college was terminated in 2024 after backlash to his view that, under a true meritocracy, black people would "disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment".” “Unable to find someone to cover her shift, she said her part-time job in a sandwich shop was terminated .” Etymology
From terminate + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/terminated