weary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "weary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of being tired and exhausted due to physical or mental effort. For example: "After a long day at work, I was feeling weary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The challenge for Flintoff and his weary band is not parity.

The Guardian - Sport

"Oh Kate, are you really showing grey roots at 33?" it asks in the weary tone of the terminally disappointed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lumley said the new bridge would provide more than just a river crossing for the weary commuter.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Robert's casting his eye over a battle weary San Jose squad: The San Jose Earthquakes almost made history this week in the CONCACAF Champions League, coming a missed penalty kick from Shea Salinas away from knocking off heavily favored Deportiva Toluca FC and becoming the first MLS club to ever win a two-leg series on Mexican soil.

The Guardian - Sport

I didn't witness any rage at Gauguin, just a weary shuffling around, and a good deal of apologising to people you'd just trodden on or accidentally barged out of the way.

The Guardian - Arts

When asked if he is weary of how Africa is portrayed by photographers from outside the continent, Opara is diplomatic.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

So while our taxi lurched from lane to lane the driver pointed out some weary-looking sugar cane, trashed palms and uprooted trees.

The Guardian - Travel

Things might well be even worse, and it certainly wouldn't be difficult to persuade the public – which remains in a war-weary post-Iraq mood – of that.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is unfortunate, but appropriate, given his world-weary, hangdog demeanour, that one of his last films was titled The Sad Sack.

The Guardian - Film

Mealtimes used to revolve around the kitchen table, but the fast-food boom is changing Britain and its high streets, as US food chains Subway, Starbucks and McDonald's set out to conquer a recession-weary nation still hungry for instant gratification.

The Guardian - Business

Clooney and Brad Pitt recruit, among others, the bratty and argumentative Mormon Twins (Scott Caan, Casey Affleck) as drivers, pop-eyed, world-weary black comedian Bernie Mac as their inside-man on the casino floor, comedy titan Carl Reiner and blustering Elliott Gould for special senior-citizen duties, and Cheadle, sporting an unwelcome English accent, as their explosives expert.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "weary" with adverbs that intensify or specify the type of weariness, such as 'utterly weary' or 'spiritually weary'.

Common error

Avoid using "weary" to describe a short-term or mild state of tiredness. Instead, opt for words like "tired" or "sleepy" for less intense situations. "Weary" indicates a deeper, more prolonged exhaustion.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "weary" primarily functions to describe a state of extreme tiredness or exhaustion, whether physical, mental, or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Examples show it modifying nouns like "traveler", "band", and "campaigners".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weary" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of prolonged and intense tiredness, whether physical, mental, or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is usable in written English, functioning primarily to convey a sense of exhaustion or lack of enthusiasm. Its usage is most common in News & Media contexts but can also be found in Formal & Business and Science domains. The related phrases offer a range of alternatives, each with slightly different nuances. Remember to use "weary" when you want to emphasize the prolonged nature of the tiredness and avoid using it for short-term or mild fatigue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhausted

Focuses specifically on the depletion of energy or resources.

fatigued

Emphasizes physical or mental tiredness resulting from exertion.

tired

A general term for feeling a lack of energy or desire to do things.

drained

Suggests a complete loss of energy, often implying emotional exhaustion.

worn out

Implies damage or degradation from prolonged use or stress.

spent

Emphasizes the exhaustion of resources, both physical and mental.

listless

Describes a lack of enthusiasm and energy, often related to boredom or depression.

jaded

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm resulting from having too much of something.

dispirited

Focuses on the loss of morale or enthusiasm.

lackluster

Describes something that lacks vitality or excitement.

FAQs

How can I use "weary" in a sentence?

You can use "weary" to describe someone feeling tired or exhausted, as in "The "weary traveler" collapsed onto the bed" or to describe something causing tiredness, like "The "weary task" of cleaning the house took all day".

What's the difference between "weary" and "tired"?

"Weary" suggests a deeper, more prolonged exhaustion than "tired". While "tired" can describe a temporary state, "weary" often implies physical or mental strain over time. Consider alternatives such as "exhausted" or "fatigued" for similar meanings.

What can I say instead of "weary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exhausted", "fatigued", "drained", or "worn out". Each carries a slightly different nuance related to the type and intensity of tiredness.

Is it correct to say "I am weary of" something?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. "Weary of" indicates that you are tired or bored of something, often due to it continuing for a long time. For example, "I am "weary of waiting" for the bus".