burnout

USAGE SUMMARY

'burnout' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to describe experiencing extreme exhaustion or feeling mentally or emotionally drained from prolonged stress or activity. Example sentence: After taking classes, working full time, and being involved in numerous extracurricular activities, Sarah was suffering from burnout.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have been seriously close to burnout myself.

The Guardian

We need to see the trend of rising caseloads reversed, so that social workers have the time necessary to build strong relationships, manage complex situations, and develop their skills, rather than suffering stress and burnout".

The Guardian

He added that in order for the NHS to progress, general practice needs to be empowered and issues of burnout addressed.

The Guardian

The chronic shortage of doctors in general practice and emergency medicine, and the rising pressure frontline staff are under, which is increasingly leading to burnout, must also be dealt with.

The Guardian

More from Views from the NHS frontline Conversations about death are never easy, but we must have them Weekend staff shortages are the fatal flaw at the heart of the NHS I faced burnout working as a GP in the NHS – I had to stop.

The Guardian

And the flight attendant, 26, said the pilot, who took a break in his training due to reported "burnout syndrome", had suffered nightmares and his behaviour had scared her.

The Guardian

Related: I faced burnout working as a GP in the NHS – I had to stop Even without extended hours, where I work in east London a full inner-city GP day is now 11 hours with no lunch break.

The Guardian

It's easy to sympathise with GPs reporting burnout; there are bottomless piles of paperwork and long hours with shifts that never seem to be over as you take the concerns of the day back to your home and partner, then to your bed.

The Guardian

Related: I faced burnout working as a GP in the NHS – I had to stop I am a midwife with eight years experience and I love my job.

The Guardian

For every public recognition of the great work done by emergency doctors, there are stories of rising waiting times, burnout and unwelcome meddling in professional training.

The Guardian

He blames a mix of burnout and events, pointing out that, over the ten years of its development, what might have been a fun side project for a group of footloose 20-something programmers could well have turned into an unwelcome burden on their free time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "burnout", be specific about the context (e.g., "workplace burnout", "emotional burnout") to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "burnout" interchangeably with everyday tiredness. "Burnout" describes a prolonged state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "burnout" is as a noun, referring to a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Independent

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "burnout" is a commonly used noun referring to a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. Ludwig AI validates its correct and frequent usage across various contexts, notably in News & Media and professional settings. Related terms include "emotional exhaustion" and "chronic stress". While "burnout" is generally used correctly, it's crucial to differentiate it from simple tiredness and specify the context for better understanding. Using these guidelines helps ensure clarity and precision when discussing this significant condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

professional fatigue

Specifically refers to exhaustion related to one's professional life.

emotional exhaustion

Focuses specifically on the emotional aspect of being exhausted.

mental exhaustion

Highlights the cognitive element involved in feeling completely drained.

chronic stress

Emphasizes the prolonged nature of the stress leading to "burnout".

work-related stress

Highlights the origin of the stress as being from one's job.

compassion fatigue

Relates to "burnout" in care-giving professions due to continuous empathy.

state of depletion

Generalizes the feeling of being completely used up or emptied.

extreme fatigue

Emphasizes the intensity of the tiredness experienced.

lack of motivation

Points to a primary symptom associated with "burnout".

overwhelmed

Captures the feeling of being unable to cope with the level of demands.

FAQs

How is "burnout" typically used in a sentence?

"Burnout" is often used to describe a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. For example, "The demanding work schedule led to "burnout" among the employees".

What are some alternatives to the word "burnout"?

Depending on the context, you could use "emotional exhaustion", "chronic stress", or "professional fatigue" as alternatives to "burnout".

Is it correct to say someone is "burned out"?

Yes, "burned out" is a common and acceptable way to describe someone experiencing "burnout". It functions as an adjective phrase describing their state.

What's the difference between stress and "burnout"?

Stress is a common experience involving pressure and tension, while "burnout" is a prolonged state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Unlike stress, "burnout" is characterized by feeling empty, devoid of motivation, and beyond stress.