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tire
1[ tahyuhr ]
/ taɪər /
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verb (used with object), tired, tir·ing.
verb (used without object), tired, tir·ing.
to have the strength reduced or exhausted, as by labor or exertion; become fatigued; be sleepy.
to have one's appreciation, interest, patience, etc., exhausted; become or be weary; become bored (usually followed by of): He soon tired of playing billiards.
noun
British Dialect. fatigue.
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Has Your Family Ever Said This Kentucky Word?
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ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Origin of tire
1First recorded before 900; Middle English tire(n), teoren “to diminish, weaken,” Old English tȳrian, tēorian “to faint, cause to faint”; further etymology uncertain
Words nearby tire
Other definitions for tire (2 of 3)
tire2
[ tahyuhr ]
/ taɪər /
noun
a ring or band of rubber, either solid or hollow and inflated, or of metal, placed over the rim of a wheel to provide traction, resistance to wear, or other desirable properties.
a metal band attached to the outside of the felloes and forming the tread of a wagon wheel.
verb (used with object), tired, tir·ing.
to furnish with tires.
Also British, tyre .
Origin of tire
2First recorded in 1475–85; special use of tire3 (in the sense “dress, attire, accouterment (for a wheel”)
Other definitions for tire (3 of 3)
tire3
[ tahyuhr ]
/ taɪər /
verb (used with object), tired, tir·ing.
Archaic. to dress (the head or hair), especially with a headdress.
Obsolete. to attire or array.
noun
Archaic. a headdress.
Obsolete. attire or dress.
Origin of tire
3First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tire(n), teren “to clothe, dress, equip (a knight) for battle”; shortening of attire
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use tire in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tire (1 of 3)
tire1
/ (ˈtaɪə) /
verb
(tr) to reduce the energy of, esp by exertion; weary
(tr; often passive) to reduce the tolerance of; bore or irritateI'm tired of the children's chatter
(intr) to become wearied or bored; flag
Derived forms of tire
tiring, adjectiveWord Origin for tire
Old English tēorian, of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for tire (2 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for tire (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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