tire
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to lose energy or feel like you need to rest.
v.to become physically or mentally weary; used intransitively to describe a loss of stamina.
Simple“The long walk uphill made the children tire quickly.”
In context“Even the most seasoned marathon runners began to tire as the course reached its final, most demanding incline.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to make someone else feel exhausted or sleepy.
v.to exhaust the strength or patience of another person. Transitive use requiring a direct object.
Simple“The constant noise from the construction site started to tire the residents.”
In context“The repetitive nature of the data entry tasks would tire even the most diligent employees by mid-afternoon.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to lose interest in something because you have done it too much.
v.to become bored or impatient with a repetitive activity or situation. Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
Simple“He soon began to tire of the same routine every single day.”
In context“Investors may eventually tire of the company's constant excuses for failing to meet its quarterly revenue targets.”
- 04 A2 Elementary
n.the thick rubber ring around a wheel of a car or bicycle.
n.the rubber covering of a wheel, typically filled with compressed air. This spelling is standard in American English.
Simple“I had to stop the car because the front tire was flat.”
In context“The mechanic recommended replacing all four tires before the winter season to ensure better traction on icy roads.”
UsageIn American English, 'tire' is used for both the verb and the noun; British English uses 'tyre' for the noun.
PitfallI need to change the tyre on my car. I need to change the tire on my car.In American English, use the 'tire' spelling; 'tyre' is the British English spelling.
From Middle English tiren, tirien, teorien, from Old English tȳrian, tēorian (“to fail, cease, become weary, be tired, exhausted; tire, weary, exhaust”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic teuʀōn (“to cease”), which is possibly from Proto-Indo-European dews- (“to fail, be behind, lag”). Compare Ancient Greek δεύομαι (deúomai, “to lack”), Sanskrit दोष (dóṣa, “crime, fault, vice, deficiency”).
Probably from Middle English tir(e) (“equipment, furnshings, ornament”). See the details at tyre.
From Middle English tire, from Old French tirer (“to draw or pull”), akin to English tear (“to rend”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.