tire

¹

[tahy^uhr]

verb (used with object)

tired, tiring 

1. to reduce or exhaust the strength of, as by exertion; make weary; fatigue (often followed byout ).

   The long walk tired him.

2. to exhaust the interest, patience, etc., of; make weary; bore.

   Your stories tire me.

   Synonyms: irk, exasperate

verb (used without object)

tired, tiring 

1. to have the strength reduced or exhausted, as by labor or exertion; become fatigued; be sleepy.

2. to have one's appreciation, interest, patience, etc., exhausted; become or be weary; become bored (usually followed byof ).

   He soon tired of playing billiards.

noun

1. British Dialect.,  fatigue.

tire

²

British, tyre

[tahy^uhr]

noun

1. 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.

2. a metal band attached to the outside of the felloes and forming the tread of a wagon wheel.

verb (used with object)

tired, tiring 

1. to furnish with tires.

tire

³

[tahy^uhr]

verb (used with object)

tired, tiring 

1. Archaic.,  to dress (the head or hair), especially with a headdress.

2. Obsolete.,  to attire or array.

noun

1. Archaic.,  a headdress.

2. Obsolete.,  attire or dress.

tire

¹

/ ˈtaɪə /

verb

1. (tr) to reduce the energy of, esp by exertion; weary

2. (tr; often passive) to reduce the tolerance of; bore or irritate

   I'm tired of the children's chatter

3. (intr) to become wearied or bored; flag

tire

²

/ ˈtaɪə /

noun

1. the US spelling of tyre

tire

³

/ ˈtaɪə /

verb

1. an archaic word for attire

Other Word Forms

• tiring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tire¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English tire(n), teoren “to diminish, weaken,” Old English tȳrian, tēorian “to faint, cause to faint”; further etymology uncertain

Origin of tire²

First recorded in 1475–85; special use of tire ³ (in the sense “dress, attire, accouterment (for a wheel”)

Origin of tire³

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tire(n), teren “to clothe, dress, equip (a knight) for battle”; shortening of attire

Word History and Origins

Origin of tire¹

Old English tēorian, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

I was so tired of letting people down.

Read more on Salon

This issue is affecting the quality of life for consumers who are tired of witnessing theft or dealing with measures to stop it, such as locked-up shelves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I was pretty tired when I got back. I’m not a run-first quarterback, so it was a little different for me.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Californians are tired of paying the price for that theft that steals more than copper,” Gonzalez said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It would make her feel tired and lethargic, and she struggled with it for 10 years.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• annoy 
• bore 
• depress 
• disgust 
• dishearten 
• dispirit 
• displease 
• drain 
• exasperate 
• fail 
• fatigue 
• irk 
• irritate 
• jade 
• overwork 
• wear 
• worry