What does "weary" mean?

1. (physically tired) very tired, especially after working hard or travelling for a long time. 2. (bored or impatient) having no more patience or interest in something because you have done it too much. 3. (to become or make tired) to start feeling tired, or to make someone else feel tired.

How do you use "weary"?

often used with the preposition 'of' functions as both a transitive and intransitive verb

weary

adj. · v.

US //ˈwɪɹi// UK //wˈiəɹi// weary

1 physically tired (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

very tired, especially after working hard or travelling for a long time.

physically exhausted or fatigued as a result of prolonged exertion or toil.

Example

The weary hikers finally reached the camp after walking for ten hours.

Example

After a double shift at the hospital, the weary nurse could barely find the energy to drive home safely.
- energetic
- refreshed
2 bored or impatient (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

having no more patience or interest in something because you have done it too much.

having one's patience or enthusiasm exhausted by persistence or repetition.

Example

She was weary of the constant rain and dreamed of a sunny holiday.

Example

The electorate had grown weary of the candidate's repetitive slogans and empty promises during the long campaign.

Usage

often used with the preposition 'of'
- bored
- fed up
- jaded
- enthusiastic
- eager

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 to become or make tired (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary

to start feeling tired, or to make someone else feel tired.

to exhaust the strength or patience of; to become fatigued or impatient.

Example

The long journey began to weary the children, who soon fell asleep.

Example

He never seemed to weary of his research, spending fourteen hours a day in the archives without complaint.

Usage

functions as both a transitive and intransitive verb
- energize
- refresh

Origin

From Middle English wery, weri, from Old English wēriġ (“weary”), from Proto-West Germanic wōrīg, wōrag (“weary”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian wuurich (“weary, tired”), West Frisian wurch (“tired”), Dutch dialectal wurrig (“exhausted”), Old Saxon wōrig (“weary”), Old High German wōrag, wuarag (“drunken”).