Word
weary
US/ˈwɪɹi/
UK/wˈiəɹi/
Definitions
01physically tired
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very tired, especially after working hard or travelling for a long time.
adj. physically exhausted or fatigued as a result of prolonged exertion or toil.
“The weary hikers finally reached the camp after walking for ten hours.”
“After a double shift at the hospital, the weary nurse could barely find the energy to drive home safely.”
02bored or impatient
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. having no more patience or interest in something because you have done it too much.
adj. having one's patience or enthusiasm exhausted by persistence or repetition.
“She was weary of the constant rain and dreamed of a sunny holiday.”
“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'
Antonyms
03to become or make tired
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to start feeling tired, or to make someone else feel tired.
v. to exhaust the strength or patience of; to become fatigued or impatient.
“The long journey began to weary the children, who soon fell asleep.”
“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
Real-World Examples
“There are masterpieces here by Cézanne, Picasso and Matisse, but it’s a weary slog and the beach is miles away.” “Even the man with a dustbin on his head looked weary.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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