really retired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really retired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the state of being retired, often to clarify that someone is no longer working or engaged in their previous profession. Example: "After years of hard work, I can finally say that I am really retired and enjoying my free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He never really retired.

The Economist

Is he really retired?

The New York Times - Sports

Yet he'd not really retired, and was still working on "Edwin Drood" before he died.

The New Yorker

His commitment to his calling came at the cost of family life, and he never really retired.

Independent

Though he became professor emeritus in 2004, Guy never really retired.

The Guardian

But even as federal inmate No. 49535-083, Mr. neverlson nevereallyly retired as a Russian spy, federal prosecutors say.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Mr. Bejarano is one of an increasing number of public employees here who are retiring one day and going right back to the same jobs the next, enabling them to supplement their income with retirement benefits without really retiring at all.

The New York Times

"You don't just really retire".

The New York Times - Sports

Not one to really retire, he began the venture capital business R&G Ventures , Inc

The New York Times

If he really retires, or is traded, the Bengals have to get a quarterback.

The New York Times

Asked whether he was really retiring, Mr. Goodman replied: "I mean retire retire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really retired" to clarify that someone is not just taking a break from their career, but has made a definitive decision to stop working. This is especially useful when the person has a history of returning to work after announcing retirement.

Common error

Avoid using "really retired" too frequently, as it can diminish the impact. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "truly retired" or rephrase the sentence to convey the same meaning without relying on adverbs for emphasis. For example use alternatives like "fully retired", "completely retired" or "finally retired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really retired" functions as an adverb-adjective modifier. The adverb "really" intensifies the adjective "retired", emphasizing the state of being fully and definitively out of the workforce. Ludwig's examples show usage in contexts where the finality of retirement is being asserted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really retired" is a common and grammatically correct way to emphasize the permanence of someone's retirement. According to Ludwig, it often appears in News & Media and Sports contexts, indicating its relevance in reporting on individuals leaving their professions. While "really retired" is acceptable, overuse can diminish its impact, so consider using alternatives like "truly retired" or "completely retired" to add variety. The key is to clarify that the retirement is not temporary but a definitive life change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly retired

Emphasizes the genuineness of the retirement.

genuinely retired

Similar to "truly retired", highlighting the authenticity of the retirement state.

completely retired

Focuses on the comprehensiveness of the retirement, leaving no lingering professional activities.

fully retired

Similar to "completely retired", suggesting a state of total withdrawal from work.

definitively retired

Highlights the decisiveness and lack of ambiguity in the retirement.

irrevocably retired

Emphasizes that the retirement decision is final and cannot be reversed.

permanently retired

Focuses on the long-term nature of the retirement.

finally retired

Suggests that the retirement has been long-awaited or anticipated.

well and truly retired

An emphatic way of saying someone is completely and undeniably retired.

legitimately retired

Indicates the retirement is official and in accordance with regulations.

FAQs

How can I use "really retired" in a sentence?

You can use "really retired" to emphasize that someone has completely stopped working, especially if they have a history of returning to work. For example, "After many false starts, he is "really retired" this time."

What are some alternatives to saying "really retired"?

You can use alternatives like "truly retired", "genuinely retired", or "completely retired" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "really retired"?

It's appropriate when you want to stress that someone's retirement is not temporary or a break, but a permanent state. Use it when there might be doubt or confusion about their retirement status.

Is there a difference between "retired" and "really retired"?

Yes, "really retired" adds emphasis. Simply saying "retired" indicates someone has left their profession, but ""really retired"" underscores the finality and completeness of that decision, implying no intention to return.