is retired

USAGE SUMMARY

"is retired" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has retired from their job. For example, "My grandfather is retired and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Mulrooney is retired.

The New York Times

Prinz is retired.

The Washington Post

Vicky Seddon is retired.

The Guardian

She is retired.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, Fanny is retired.

The New York Times - Sports

The sooner it is retired, the better.

The Economist

He is retired now — and homeless.

The New Yorker

At 77, he is retired now.

The New York Times - Sports

Seikaly's No. 4 jersey is retired.

The New York Times

His father, also a dermatologist, is retired.

The New York Times

Judge Lance Ito is retired.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is retired" to clearly state that someone has permanently left their job or profession, especially when providing context about their current activities or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "tired" when you mean "retired". "Tired" means weary or fatigued, while "retired" indicates someone has stopped working, often due to age or health. For example, say "He is retired now," not "He is tired now," unless you mean he is sleepy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is retired" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state of having ceased working, typically due to age or career completion. Ludwig shows the phrase used to define the current status of individuals, objects, or systems that are no longer active or in use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is retired" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe someone or something that has ceased working or being in service, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly used in news and media, it neutrally conveys a state of having left a profession or active use. When using the phrase, remember to ensure clarity about the permanence of the retirement and avoid confusing it with "tired". Alternatives like "has retired" or "is no longer working" can also be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has retired

Uses the present perfect tense to emphasize the action's completion and relevance to the present.

is no longer working

States the current state of not being employed.

has left the workforce

Emphasizes the departure from active employment.

is out of work

Focuses on the state of being without a job.

is enjoying retirement

Highlights the positive aspects of being retired.

is a retiree

Uses a noun form to describe the person's status.

is living in retirement

Emphasizes the lifestyle associated with retirement.

is pensioned off

Suggests being formally granted a pension upon retirement.

is no longer employed

Formally states the absence of employment.

is on sabbatical

Implies a temporary break from work, differing from permanent retirement.

FAQs

How do I use "is retired" in a sentence?

Use "is retired" to indicate that someone has permanently stopped working. For example, "My father "is retired" and enjoys gardening."

What's a more formal way to say "is retired"?

A more formal alternative to "is retired" is "has left the workforce", which emphasizes a permanent departure from employment.

What's the difference between "is retired" and "is unemployed"?

"Is retired" indicates a voluntary cessation of work, typically due to age or having sufficient resources, while "is unemployed" means someone is actively seeking work but currently without a job.

Can "is retired" be used for things other than people?

Yes, "is retired" can also describe objects or systems that are no longer in service or use, such as "This model "is retired" from production."