dead tired

USAGE SUMMARY

"dead tired" is a valid and commonly used expression in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is extremely exhausted, having exerted a great amount of energy or effort. For example, "After running the marathon, I was completely dead tired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was dead tired.

The New Yorker

I'm dead tired".

The New Yorker

But Mog is tired, dead tired.

The Guardian

She was dead tired; it had been a long day.

The New Yorker

I was dead tired in the third set.

The Guardian - Sport

"We went there when thirsty, of course, and when hungry, and when dead tired.

The New York Times - Books

Goalkeeper Tim Howard added: "For sure, we were all dead tired out there.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was dead tired when I got back, but I felt awesome," Ms. Domonkos said.

The New York Times - Travel

I was dead tired after one round and there were 14 more to come".

The Guardian - Sport

Him dead tired and he's got to get out of bed and tend to her".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We learn how to run on dead-tired legs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dead tired" to vividly express extreme exhaustion. It's more impactful than simply saying "tired".

Common error

While "dead tired" is widely understood, it's slightly informal. In professional or academic writing, consider more formal alternatives like "utterly exhausted" or "completely drained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dead tired" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun (often implied, such as 'I' or 'they'). It intensifies the degree of tiredness, indicating extreme exhaustion. Ludwig examples demonstrate its common usage in describing a state of being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

8%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "dead tired" is a common and vivid way to describe extreme exhaustion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While it's generally considered neutral in formality, it's essential to consider your audience and context when choosing this phrase. For more formal settings, alternatives like "utterly exhausted" or "completely drained" may be more appropriate. By understanding the nuances of "dead tired", you can effectively communicate your level of exhaustion and choose the most suitable expression for any situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly exhausted

Uses a more formal intensifier than "dead".

completely drained

Focuses on the loss of energy, rather than just tiredness.

totally wiped out

More informal and emphasizes the feeling of being depleted.

dog tired

A common idiom expressing extreme tiredness. It uses a different animal analogy.

worn to a frazzle

Suggests being worn out to the point of being frayed or damaged.

ready to drop

Emphasizes the inability to stand or continue any longer.

spent

A concise way to describe being completely depleted of energy.

on one's last legs

Suggests being near the end of one's endurance or capabilities.

burned out

Often used to describe chronic exhaustion from prolonged stress or overwork.

pooped

A very informal and childlike way to express tiredness.

FAQs

How can I use "dead tired" in a sentence?

"Dead tired" is used to describe a state of extreme exhaustion. For example, "After the marathon, I was "dead tired"."

What's a more formal way to say "dead tired"?

More formal alternatives include "utterly exhausted", "completely drained", or "extremely fatigued". Consider your audience and the context when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

Is "dead tired" an idiom?

Yes, "dead tired" is considered an idiom. It's a common expression whose meaning isn't directly deducible from the individual words themselves.

What's the difference between ""dead tired"" and "very tired"?

"Dead tired" implies a greater degree of exhaustion than "very tired". It suggests a state of near-collapse or complete depletion of energy.