English Reference
adjective

tired

adj.
US /ˈtaɪɝd/ UK /tˈaɪəd/ tired

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    feeling that you need to rest or sleep.

    feeling a need for sleep or rest; physically or mentally fatigued.

    Simple

    I felt very tired after the long flight and went straight to bed.

    In context

    The medical staff were visibly tired after completing a double shift during the peak of the flu season.

    Usage

    Commonly follows 'feel' or 'be'.

    Pitfall
    I am very tiring after work. I am very tired after work.

    Use 'tired' to describe how you feel. Use 'tiring' to describe the thing that makes you feel that way, like a long meeting.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    bored with something because you have done it or seen it too many times.

    having lost interest or patience with something; weary of a repetitive situation.

    Simple

    I am tired of eating the same sandwich for lunch every single day.

    In context

    The voters grew tired of the candidate's empty promises and began looking for a more authentic alternative.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'of' followed by a noun or gerund.

    boredsick offed up
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    used so often that it is no longer interesting or effective.

    hackneyed or cliché; lacking originality due to excessive repetition.

    Simple

    The movie was full of tired jokes that nobody laughed at.

    In context

    The marketing campaign relied on tired tropes about family life that failed to resonate with a modern audience.

    clichéstalehackneyed
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Literary

    looking old and in poor condition because it has been used a lot.

    showing signs of wear or age; no longer in a fresh or sturdy condition.

    Simple

    The room was decorated with tired old furniture from the 1970s.

    In context

    The building's tired facade was finally restored after decades of neglect and exposure to the elements.

Don't confuse

tired vs tiring — Tired describes the person feeling the fatigue, while tiring describes the activity that causes it.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Common
Updated