weary

Weary is an English word that functions as both an adjective and a verb, describing fatigue or a diminished energy level, whether physical or mental. As an adjective, it can also convey a sense of reluctance or boredom with ongoing activity or a situation, as in the phrase weary of the repetition. As a verb, to weary means to exhaust or to make someone tired or reluctant over time; the third-person singular form is wearies, while the infinitive is to weary.

As an adjective, weary commonly describes tiredness after effort: a weary traveler, weary eyes. It can also describe emotional or moral fatigue, such as weary of waiting or a weary sigh. The expression weary of expresses deep dissatisfaction or boredom with something familiar or persistent.

In verb use, weary can be transitive or intransitive. Transitive usage: constant delays weary the crew. Intransitive usage: the long journey wearies. When used with a direct object, to weary someone means to wear out their strength or patience. The sense often carries nuance beyond simple physical fatigue, implying a gradual erosion of enthusiasm or resolve.

Etymology traces weary to Old English roots connected with wear and fatigue. It is related to the general concept of wear in the sense of something wearing a person down, with cognates in other Germanic languages. Over time, the word developed a broader sense of persistent tiredness and emotional strain, alongside related forms such as weariness, wearying, and wearied.

Usage notes: in modern English, weary can be more formal or literary than the everyday term tired, and appears in expressions like weary of life or a weary journey. In everyday speech, tired or exhausted are common substitutes. Related terms include weariness, fatigue, and tiredness.