Cool MateRetire vs Withdraw
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Retire
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Withdraw
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Retire | Withdraw | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈtaɪə(r)/","/rɪˈtaɪəz/","/rɪˈtaɪəd/","/rɪˈtaɪərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈtaɪər/","/rɪˈtaɪərz/","/rɪˈtaɪərd/","/rɪˈtaɪərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/wɪðˈdrɔː//wɪθˈdrɔː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːz//wɪθˈdrɔːz/","/wɪðˈdruː//wɪθˈdruː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːn//wɪθˈdrɔːn/","/wɪðˈdrɔːɪŋ//wɪθˈdrɔːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/wɪðˈdrɔː//wɪθˈdrɔː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːz//wɪθˈdrɔːz/","/wɪðˈdruː//wɪθˈdruː/","/wɪðˈdrɔːn//wɪθˈdrɔːn/","/wɪðˈdrɔːɪŋ//wɪθˈdrɔːɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To stop working after many years, usually because of age. | To take back or remove something. |
| Example | After working for over thirty years, she decided to retire from her job. | She decided to withdraw her savings from the bank. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | early, recently, officially, be forced to, be obliged to, have to, as, at, from, newly retired, recently retired, be medically retired | altogether, completely, immediately, be forced to, be ordered to, threaten to, from, in favour/favor of, into, altogether, completely, immediately, be forced to, be ordered to, threaten to, from, in favour/favor of, into, altogether, completely, immediately, be forced to, be ordered to, threaten to, from, in favour/favor of, into |
| Antonyms | work, engage | deposit, add, contribute |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'retiree' as the same as 'retire'., Using 'retire' with non-human subjects, like a company or organization., Saying 'retire from' without specifying what job or career. | Confused with 'wither' — remember, 'withdraw' is about taking away., Using 'withdraw' with an incorrect subject; you withdraw something, not 'withdraws'., 'Withdrew' is the past tense, but learners often forget the 'd'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used when someone reaches a certain age or financial security. It’s more formal than casual speech; avoid in light-hearted contexts. | Use 'withdraw' when you want to say you are taking something away or not participating anymore. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts, like withdrawing money from a bank or withdrawing from a competition. |
Frequently asked questions: Retire vs Withdraw
What's the difference between Retire and Withdraw?
Retire: To stop working after many years, usually because of age. Withdraw: To take back or remove something.
Which is more advanced: Retire and Withdraw?
Withdraw is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Retire and Withdraw the same CEFR level?
Retire: B1, Withdraw: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Retire and Withdraw?
Retire: verb, Withdraw: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Retire: After working for over thirty years, she decided to retire from her job. Withdraw: She decided to withdraw her savings from the bank.
Can I use Retire and Withdraw interchangeably?
Not always. Retire and Withdraw are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.