tire

¹

[ tahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

, tired, tir·ing.

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

   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, tir·ing.

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 by of ):

   He soon tired of playing billiards.

noun

1. British Dialect. fatigue.

tire

²

[ tahyuhr ]

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, tir·ing.

1. to furnish with tires.

tire

³

[ tahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

, tired, tir·ing.

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. an archaic word for attire

tire

²

/ ˈtaɪə /

noun

1. the US spelling of tyre

tire

³

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈtiring, 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

People were tired and really didn’t know what to make of a movie that shifts between the points of view of the two main characters and has a subjective, impressionistic mode of storytelling.

From Los Angeles Times

I just got tired of waiting around and was thinking, if I could have my show, what would it be?

From Los Angeles Times

"No, because I just didn't think it would have the impact it did, because I was just that sick and tired of it, it was draining," Rooney said.

From BBC

Not sure exactly when, but Robinson was noted for helping a troubled driver on the freeway fix a flat tire.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Scullion, who spends his days driving for the dial-a-lift service, said rural roads in Mid Ulster are "very tired" and "the edges have eroded away".

From BBC

Related Words

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