# tire

/ˈtaɪɝ/ (US) · /tˈaɪə/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to become weary

verb · CEFR A2

to lose energy or feel like you need to rest.

For teachers: to become physically or mentally weary; used intransitively to describe a loss of stamina.

- The long walk uphill made the children tire quickly.
- Even the most seasoned marathon runners began to tire as the course reached its final, most demanding incline.

### 2. to make someone weary

verb · CEFR B1

to make someone else feel exhausted or sleepy.

For teachers: to exhaust the strength or patience of another person. Transitive use requiring a direct object.

- The constant noise from the construction site started to tire the residents.
- The repetitive nature of the data entry tasks would tire even the most diligent employees by mid-afternoon.

### 3. to become bored

verb · CEFR B2

to lose interest in something because you have done it too much.

For teachers: to become bored or impatient with a repetitive activity or situation. Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

- He soon began to tire of the same routine every single day.
- Investors may eventually tire of the company's constant excuses for failing to meet its quarterly revenue targets.

### 4. rubber wheel covering

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

the thick rubber ring around a wheel of a car or bicycle.

For teachers: the rubber covering of a wheel, typically filled with compressed air. This spelling is standard in American English.

- I had to stop the car because the front tire was flat.
- The mechanic recommended replacing all four tires before the winter season to ensure better traction on icy roads.

Usage: In American English, 'tire' is used for both the verb and the noun; British English uses 'tyre' for the noun.

## Examples

- I need to check the air pressure in each tire.
- The driver pulled over to the side of the highway because he had a flat tire.
- Modern vehicles are equipped with sensors that alert the driver if any tire loses significant pressure, preventing potential accidents caused by blowouts at high speeds.

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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.