fired

USAGE SUMMARY

"fired" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to indicate that someone has been dismissed from their job, or has had to leave their job due to a specific incident or circumstance. For example, "The employee was fired after being caught stealing from the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"That will likely lead, I'm sorry to say, to some people resigning from the government or being fired.

The Guardian

The manager was fired in February with his team struggling in eighth, yet he did get some things right.

The Guardian - Sport

Authorities said Morrison fired when Ramirez made a downward movement with his hands after Morrison ordered him to keep his hands visible.

The Guardian

Whoever fired at her hadn't been able to track her down with dogs and dispose of the tag because the shot had not immediately been fatal: Betty had flapped on for several miles before collapsing on the ground.

The Guardian

In another neighbourhood youths destroyed a police vehicle and officers fired tear gas to try to disperse protesters.

The Guardian

The Islamists' assault on the Borno state capital saw rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) fired into homes, said witnesses and security sources.

The Guardian

But in a scene that felt more Office Space than Black Hawk Down, he rose after a moment, stuck his rifle around the corner and fired blindly at an enemy unseen.

The Guardian - Opinion

A physicist at Fermilab in Chicago has calculated that an apple fired at such velocity would, if it hit the moon, excavate a crater six miles in diameter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nuclear plants have a combined capacity of about 2.4 gigawatts (GW) and are out of action at a time when part of the 2GW Ferrybridge coal-fired station is also temporarily closed down due to a fire.

The Guardian

The fire at the 1.4 gigawatt (GW) plant was the third at a fossil fuel-fired power station this year.

The Guardian - Business

The fund is also set to sell its $49m stake in Drax, which runs the UK's biggest coal-fired power station.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the specific context when using the word "fired". Ensure it aligns with the intended meaning, whether it pertains to employment termination or the discharge of a weapon.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "fired" as "fire", especially when discussing employment termination. "Fire" usually refers to the act of igniting something or discharging a weapon, whereas "fired" indicates a completed action of dismissal or shooting.

Linguistic Context

The word "fired" primarily functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'fire'. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates the action of discharging a weapon or terminating employment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Sport

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Opinion

6%

Arts

3%

Travel

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fired" is a versatile term used to describe both employment termination and the discharge of a weapon. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's crucial to consider the context to determine the appropriate meaning and to use more formal alternatives like "terminated" or "dismissed" in professional settings. Ludwig examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian demonstrate its widespread use in news, sports, and business contexts. Avoid confusing "fired" with similarly spelled words like "fire". When writing, remember to choose the most accurate and appropriate term for your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dismissed from employment

More formal way of expressing job termination.

Terminated from job

Emphasizes the end of employment contract.

Let go from position

Softer phrasing to indicate job loss.

Sacked from work

Informal, British English term for being fired.

Given the axe

Idiomatic expression for being fired, often due to cuts.

Discharged a weapon

Focuses on the act of shooting a firearm.

Opened fire

Describes the initiation of shooting.

Expelled from service

Formal term, often used in military contexts.

Removed from duty

Suggests a formal removal from a specific task or role.

Axed from the team

Commonly used in sports context to refer to a player removed from the team.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is "fired"?

When someone is "fired", it typically means they have been dismissed from their job. It's a common term for having one's employment terminated, often due to performance issues, misconduct, or company restructuring.

What are some alternatives to saying someone was "fired"?

Depending on the context, you could use more formal terms like "terminated from job" or "dismissed from employment". More informal options include "let go from position" or "sacked from work".

Is it better to say someone was "fired" or "laid off"?

"Fired" usually implies the termination was due to the employee's actions or performance. "Laid off" suggests the job loss was due to company-wide reasons like downsizing or restructuring, not the employee's fault.

Can "fired" be used in contexts other than employment?

Yes, "fired" can also refer to the act of discharging a weapon. For example, "The soldier "discharged a weapon"" or "The rocket was "rocketed"". In this context, it means something was propelled or launched.