Tire Verb: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：become weary (tire)

tire 🔊

/ˈtaɪr/

When your body or mind feels like it needs to rest because you have used up a lot of energy.

Tired person resting head on desk after work

become weary 🔊

➕

/bɪˈkʌm ˈwɪri/

To feel the need for rest because of physical or mental exertion.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English tēorian, meaning 'to weary, be tired'.

💡 Mnemonic

A car tire wears out after long use. When you 'tire', you feel worn out too.

📖 Example

After a long day of work and taking care of the kids, she started to tire and longed for a quiet evening. 🔊 After a long day of work and taking care of the kids, she started to tire and longed for a quiet evening.

🔗 Collocations

tire easily – to become tired quickly

never tire of – to always enjoy or be interested in something

tire of doing something – to become bored or lose interest in doing something

🔄 Synonyms

weary (v.) – to become very tired, especially after long effort

fatigue (v.) – to cause someone to become extremely tired

exhaust (v.) – to use up all of someone's energy completely

🚫 Antonyms

energize (v.) – to give someone more energy and vitality

invigorate (v.) – to make someone feel strong, healthy, and full of energy

refresh (v.) – to restore energy and make someone feel fresh again

🌱 Derivatives

tired (adj.) – in need of rest or sleep

tireless (adj.) – having a lot of energy and never getting tired

tiresome (adj.) – causing one to feel bored or annoyed

📖 Cultural Story

Originally from Old English 'tēorian', possibly related to 'teoru' (tar), suggesting a sense of stickiness or exhaustion. Not from tire (wheel covering).