burned out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burned out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to talk about physical exhaustion or emotional strain. For example: "After a long day at work, I'm feeling pretty burned out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm a little burned out".

The New York Times

"We got burned out".

The New York Times

We burned out".

The Guardian - Music

"Was I burned out?

The New York Times

Fitzgerald burned out and died at 44.

The New York Times

I was burned out on detective work.

The Guardian - Books

Has a light bulb burned out?

The Economist

"I think I got burned out".

The New York Times

Maybe I'm burned out on bloodbaths.

The New Yorker

burned out in a radio.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not burned out, either".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a state of prolonged stress and exhaustion, use "burned out" to effectively convey the impact on someone's well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "burned out" to describe simple tiredness. Reserve it for situations involving chronic stress and exhaustion to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "burned out" is as a predicate adjective, describing a state of exhaustion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to depict a state of physical or emotional strain. It modifies a subject, indicating that the subject is experiencing burnout.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

29%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Science

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "burned out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, often resulting from prolonged stress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use in English. It functions primarily as a predicate adjective, conveying a sense of depletion across various contexts, from news and media to business and personal communication. While generally neutral in tone, it is important to use the term accurately, reserving it for situations involving chronic stress rather than simple tiredness. Consider synonyms such as "exhausted" or "drained" depending on the context. Be aware that while being "burned out" is widely understood, in formal writing, it may be best to use more clinical alternatives, such as "suffering from burnout", in order to maintain professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering from burnout

A more clinical or formal way to express the state of being "burned out".

completely exhausted

Focuses on the extreme level of tiredness, both physically and mentally.

completely depleted

Emphasizes the exhaustion of resources, both physical and emotional.

worn out

A simpler and more general term for being tired and depleted.

emotionally drained

Highlights the emotional depletion aspect of being "burned out".

mentally fatigued

Emphasizes the cognitive weariness and reduced mental capacity.

spent

An informal term indicating that one's energy or resources are completely used up.

overwhelmed

Highlights the feeling of being burdened by too much stress or work.

reached the breaking point

Suggests reaching a limit of stress or pressure beyond which one cannot continue.

at the end of my rope

Indicates a state where one can no longer cope with stress or challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "burned out" in a sentence?

You can use "burned out" to describe a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. For example, "After months of working overtime, I started to feel completely burned out."

What's the difference between "burned out" and "stressed"?

"Burned out" implies a more severe and chronic condition than "stressed". While stress is a reaction to immediate pressure, being "burned out" is a state of prolonged exhaustion resulting from ongoing stress.

What are some synonyms for "burned out"?

Synonyms for "burned out" include "exhausted", "drained", "fatigued", and "overwhelmed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "burned out" appropriate for formal writing?

While "burned out" is widely understood, in formal or professional contexts, consider using more clinical or precise terms like "suffering from burnout" or "experiencing emotional exhaustion" for greater clarity and impact.