retires

Retires is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb retire. In this sense, retire means to withdraw from work or active life, to cease holding a position, or to give up an activity. A person who retires leaves employment or public life, usually because of age, health, or personal choice. Retiring can also refer to going to bed or to sleep in older or formal usage, as in “to retire for the night.”

The verb has other forms: retired (past tense and past participle) and retiring (present participle/gerund). The adjective retiring can describe someone who is shy, reserved, or inclined to withdraw from social interaction, though this usage is less common than the noun “retirement” and the main verb senses.

Retirement is the noun form for the act or period of withdrawing from work or public life, often associated with pensions or pension eligibility. A person who has retired is called a retiree. In contemporary contexts, “retire” is most often used for voluntary cessation of work upon reaching an age that makes continued employment unattractive, is not required by law, or qualifies for a pension. In sports and other competitive fields, athletes may retire from competition or management. Related terms include active life, pension fund, and retirement planning.

Etymology: retire comes from Old French retirer, from Latin retrahere meaning “to pull back” or “to withdraw.”