The Meaning of Weary: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of weary? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word weary, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word weary mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word weary means exhausted or worn out. This adjective has two syllables – wea-ry, and the pronunciation of weary is wɪə-ri.

Many different languages also contain words that mean weary. You may notice that many of these translations of weary look and sound similar to the word weary itself. These are called cognates, which are words of different languages that look and sound alike while also retaining a similar meaning. These are often formed when two words or languages have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations of the word weary is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Romanian: obosit‎ (masc.), ostenit‎ (masc.)
  •  Dutch: uitputting‎ (fem.), vermoeidheid‎ (fem.)
  •  Portuguese: cansado‎
  •  French: las‎ (masc.), lasse‎ (fem.)
  •  Italian: annoiato‎, tediato‎
  •  German: müde‎
  •  Russian: уста́лый‎, утомлённый‎
  •  Nynorsk: trøytt‎
  •  Maori: whakakurutahi‎, kurukuru‎
  •  Hungarian: fáradt‎
  •  Mandarin: 疲倦的‎
  •  Bokmål: trett‎, trøtt‎, utkjørt‎
  •  Sorani: ماندو‎
  •  Irish: tuirseach‎, atuirseach‎
  •  Spanish: cansado‎
  •  Japanese: 疲れた‎ (tsukareta)
  •  Swedish: trött‎
  •  Finnish: väsynyt‎, lopen uupunut‎
  •  Georgian: მოქანცული‎

What are synonyms and antonyms of weary?

There are many different words and phrases that a person can choose to use in place of the word weary. These are called synonyms, which are defined as words and phrases with the same definition as another word or phrase. Learning synonyms is a great way to expand your English vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms of weary is from Power Thesaurus.

  •  lethargic
  •  burn out
  •  trying
  •  fag
  •  irk
  •  wiped out
  •  fatiguing
  •  weak
  •  sleepy
  •  fagged
  •  limp
  •  send to sleep
  •  bore
  •  dog-tired
  •  sick
  •  sapped
  •  tired out
  •  flagging
  •  cloy
  •  drained
  •  fatigues
  •  run-down
  •  all in
  •  exhaust
  •  torpid
  •  lazy
  •  apathetic
  •  debilitated
  •  tiring
  •  dead beat
  •  enervating
  •  enervate
  •  done in
  •  weaken
  •  bone-tired
  •  aweary
  •  drowsy
  •  wearisome
  •  pooped
  •  devitalize
  •  tiresome
  •  worn-out
  •  ready to drop
  •  beat
  •  irksome
  •  sluggish
  •  burnt-out
  •  tire
  •  bore to tears
  •  enervated
  •  exhausting
  •  debilitate
  •  knackered
  •  dozy
  •  knock out
  •  wear out
  •  depleted
  •  frazzle
  •  whacked
  •  jaded
  •  prostrate
  •  outwear
  •  wear down
  •  languid
  •  frazzled
  •  draining
  •  listless
  •  overtire
  •  spent
  •  knocked out
  •  bore to death
  •  fatigue
  •  outworn
  •  fatigued
  •  wear
  •  tired
  •  tuckered out
  •  wearing
  •  tire out
  •  had it
  •  wearying
  •  bushed
  •  slow
  •  boring
  •  fag out
  •  dead tired
  •  worn
  •  worn out
  •  annoy
  •  bored
  •  drain
  •  dead
  •  dull
  •  exhausted
  •  fed up
  •  wearied
  •  unsurprising
  •  pall
  •  jade
  •  poop

There are also many different words that have the opposite meaning as the word weary. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms is also provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  animated
  •  fascinate
  •  awesome
  •  activated
  •  fun
  •  energized
  •  flabbergast
  •  diligent
  •  fresh
  •  exhilarate
  •  refreshed
  •  enliven
  •  delighted
  •  comfortable
  •  invigorated
  •  busy
  •  intrigue
  •  astounding
  •  energize
  •  tireless
  •  attract
  •  lively
  •  amazing
  •  amusing
  •  arouse one’s curiosity
  •  enthrall
  •  fabulous
  •  eye-opening
  •  excite
  •  be of interest to
  •  activate
  •  grip
  •  amuse
  •  invigorate
  •  astonishing
  •  refresh
  •  active
  •  interest
  •  absorb
  •  entertained
  •  captivate
  •  encourage
  •  engage
  •  strong
  •  energetic
  •  catch up
  •  attract attention
  •  diverting
  •  engross
  •  engage one’s attention

What is the origin of the word weary?

According to Etymonline, the word weary comes from the Middle English wery/Middle English werien and Old English werig/Old English wērig/Old English wēr meaning “tired, exhausted, miserable, or sad.” This word is related to worian meaning “to wander or totter,” from the Proto-Germanic worigaz which is also the source of the Old Saxon worig/Old Saxon wōrig meaning “weary,” and Old High German wuorag drunk, and Greek hōrakian, a word of unknown origin.. Related words include wearily (adv.) weariness (n.) and wear (vb.) using the suffixes ing, ness, er, est and ily.

How can the word weary be used in a sentence?

There are many different ways in which the word weary can be used in a sentence in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a fantastic way to familiarize yourself with their definitions and add them to your vocabulary. You can also try making flashcards or a quiz for yourself to test your knowledge of the definitions of different words. Try using this new word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a couple of different examples of using the word weary in a sentence to help get your started.

Tucker was weary of confinement by the time his quarantine in the hotel rooms was over. He did not file any complaints, but got quite bored after a while. He longed to go for a long drive.

The pandemic-weary Americans tire of restrictions but continue to wear their masks with a weary smile despite delays. This tiredness of social distancing may cause a Spring spike of the spread of the virus if people do not get the available double-dose vaccines or use simple tools like masks. 

Jade was weary after long hours of work in the gym, constantly reminding everyone of masking to prevent transmissible variants. Her patience was growing thin from exertion and she gave a weary sigh. Her weary muscles toil to clean the equipment.

While the desert scenery was beautiful, the group of campers were exhausted from the hike. They needed a charger for their phones and to have a sit after the weary journey. 

She grew weary with impatience when the place she was supposed to do her one-stop shopping was sold out of everything.

She was determined to relish her time at Princeton University even if she grew weary from studying. 

I find myself growing weary with dissatisfaction at such witless entertainment. I can hardly continue the long continuance of giving a weary laugh out of pity. There are no excuses for the overuse of tired material, and it puts a great strain on my brain. 

Overall, the word weary (adj.) means having one’s physical strength, endurance, forbearance or indulgence worn out. 

Sources:

  1. weary | Origin and meaning of weary | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  2. Weary definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary 
  3. Weary synonyms – 1 782 Words and Phrases for Weary | Power Thesaurus 
  4. weary: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  5. Weary antonyms – 960 Opposites of Weary | Power Thesaurus