retired

American  

[ri-tahyuhrd] / rɪˈtaɪərd /

adjective

1. withdrawn from or no longer occupied with one's business or profession.

   a retired banker.

2. due or given a retired person.

   retired pay.

3. secluded or sequestered.

   a retired little village.

   Synonyms:

   solitary, removed, isolated

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retired British  

/ rɪˈtaɪəd /

adjective

1. 1. having given up one's work, office, etc, esp on completion of the normal period of service

      a retired headmistress

   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the )

      the retired

2. withdrawn; secluded

   a retired life

   a retired cottage in the woods

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Other Word Forms

• nonretired adjective
• quasi-retired adjective
• retiredly adverb
• retiredness noun
• self-retired adjective
• semiretired adjective
• unretired adjective

Etymology

Origin of retired

First recorded in 1580–90; retire + -ed ²

Example Sentences

My husband and I are in our late 70s and have been retired for about 15 years.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Abdul-Aal, a 72-year-old retired high school sociology teacher with an avuncular smile, likened residents’ behavior around Israeli troops to a lazy student hoping they’re not called on in class.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

“We’re not talking about change at the margins,” says retired Gen. David Petraeus, who is studying the evolution of military technology on frequent visits to Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

"I hate it," says David McQueen, retired Vietnam veteran who depends on social security for his livelihood.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Valentina realized that she would never go to space, and in 1969, she retired from the space program.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Related Words

• elderly
• resigned