B1verb 1K

Tire

UK /["/ˈtaɪə(r)/","/ˈtaɪəz/","/ˈtaɪəd/","/ˈtaɪərɪŋ/"]/ US /["/ˈtaɪər/","/ˈtaɪərz/","/ˈtaɪərd/","/ˈtaɪərɪŋ/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

to become tired and feel as if you want to sleep or rest; to make somebody feel this way

Listen to definition

In simple words: A round rubber part of a vehicle that rolls on the ground.

Examples

• Her legs were beginning to tire.
• He has made a good recovery but still tires easily.
• Walking even a short distance tires him.
• She found herself tiring more quickly these days.
• Long conversations tired her.
• He went to Harvard—as he never tires of reminding us.

Usage notes

Use 'tire' when talking about vehicles and their wheels. In more formal contexts, you might refer to it as a 'rubber tire'. Avoid using in non-auto contexts.

Grammar pattern

tire + object (e.g., tire a car)

Memory hint

Think of 'tie' - a tire is like a round tie for a car that keeps it running smoothly.

Collocations

• easily
• quickly
• eventually
• begin to

Synonyms

• wheel
• rubber
• tread
• rim

Antonyms

• energize
• refresh

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'tyre' (alternate British spelling).
• Using 'tire' to refer to a tire's pressure instead of 'pressure'.
• Saying 'tire an airplane' instead of 'tire an aircraft' (wrong context).