retired

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'retired' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has stopped working due to reaching the age of retirement. For example: "My grandfather recently retired after working for the same company for 30 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Marco Materazzi might have retired from playing football, but his career as professional antagonist is still going strong.

The Guardian - Sport

Ian Ruggier, who recently retired after 26 years in the Maltese army, said being part of MOAS rescues went beyond his expectations.

The Guardian

He retired so he could look after her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her father, Naphtali Okello Elepu, a retired prison officer in his 70s, is sophistication and eloquence personified.

The Guardian

Today at lunch retired US ambassador Frances Cook, who we knew in 1972 when she served in the consulate in Sydney, apologised for slight bruises under her eyes: she and everyone in politics, she explains, have plastic surgery – navy secretaries, congressmen, senators take cosmetic-surgery holidays in Thailand or South Africa.

The Guardian

Clinton, who retired earlier this year as secretary of state, has not yet said whether she intends to run in 2016 but all the signs indicate that she will, barring an unforeseen event such as a health scare.

The Guardian

I hope that judges, at least the retired ones, add their voice.

The Guardian - Opinion

The voice is of a retired deputy clerk in the judiciary.

The Guardian - Books

Bouchey's online profile says he is retired.

The Guardian

Gehri told The Guardian: "I vaguely remember the story but the plan was never implemented and I believe most everyone associated with that has long since retired.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The broadcasters we have gathered for Weekend's shoot – Boulton, Webb, Jon Snow, Faisal Islam Boultonn's Sky News colleague and, at 37, the youngest political editor on TV), Krishnan Guru-Murthy of Channel 4 and the retired-from-election-duty but iconic Peter Snow – are players in this moment of real-time national drama.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "retired", ensure it's clear from the context whether you mean they have generally stopped working or have specifically reached pensionable age and left employment.

Common error

Don't assume that someone who is "retired" is necessarily elderly. Some people may retire early due to health reasons, financial independence, or career changes.

Linguistic Context

The word "retired" functions primarily as an adjective, describing the state of a person who has ceased employment, often due to age or other personal reasons. Ludwig AI confirms this is a widely used term.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "retired" is a common adjective used to describe someone who has stopped working, typically due to age but also for other reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's important to remember that being "retired" doesn't always imply old age, and there are various alternative phrases like "no longer working" or "in retirement" that can be used depending on the specific context. Predominantly found in news and media, the term holds a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into diverse discussions. Remember that while the term is well-understood, assumptions about the age or pension status of someone who is "retired" should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in retirement

Highlights the state of being retired, rather than the act of retiring.

having left employment

Emphasizes the action of leaving a job, similar to "retired".

having stopped working

Highlights the cessation of work, focusing on the action.

no longer working

Focuses on the current state of not being employed, rather than the act of leaving employment.

pensioned off

Informal term emphasizing the receipt of a pension upon retirement.

out of service

Suggests a more formal or technical cessation of duty or function.

former employee

Identifies someone by their past employment status, implying they are no longer working.

released from service

Formal term indicating a discharge or end of duty, often in military contexts.

senior citizen

Highlights status, could be interchangeable in some contexts.

off duty

Indicates a temporary break or end to a work shift, rather than permanent retirement.

FAQs

How is the word "retired" typically used?

The word "retired" generally describes someone who has permanently stopped working, usually due to age, but it can also apply to those who have stopped working for other reasons, such as health or personal choice.

What are some alternative ways to say someone is "retired"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "no longer working", "in retirement", or "having left employment".

Is it correct to use "retired" for someone who stops working but doesn't receive a pension?

Yes, "retired" can be used for anyone who has permanently stopped working, regardless of whether they receive a pension. The term simply implies cessation of employment.

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

"Retired" implies a voluntary and permanent cessation of work, usually after a career. "Unemployed", on the other hand, refers to someone who is actively seeking employment but currently without a job.