WordGarden.iofatigue
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /fətˈiːɡ/
US
- /fəˈtiɡ/
Meanings
Noun
physical or mental tiredness, especially after effort or illness
weakening of a material caused by repeated stress
Verb
to make or become physically or mentally tired
Beyond the definition
Fatigue is not just feeling sleepy after a long day; it is a deep, lasting tiredness that can make even simple things feel hard. Imagine a marathon runner crossing the finish line. They are not simply tired; they feel drained in body and mind. This kind of exhaustion can be physical, mental, or both. People may feel it after illness, stress, too much work, or poor sleep. Sometimes it is also a sign that something else is going on in the body, so it is worth paying attention when your energy stays low for a long time.
Fatigue describes a state of strong tiredness, weakness, or low energy that can affect the body, the mind, or both. It is more than the usual sleepiness you feel at the end of a busy day. It often lasts longer, feels heavier, and can get in the way of normal life. A person with fatigue may struggle to work, think clearly, stay active, or even enjoy things they normally like.
We often connect this word with physical effort, such as the drained feeling after hard exercise or long hours of labor. But it also appears in many other situations. Stress, poor sleep, illness, grief, and emotional pressure can all lead to fatigue. Some people feel it for a short time while they recover from a cold or a demanding week. Others deal with it for much longer because of depression, anemia, thyroid problems, or other health issues.
The word can also be used outside everyday health. In engineering, for example, "metal fatigue" means a material becomes weaker after repeated stress and may eventually crack or break. That idea matches the general sense of the word: something has been pushed for so long that its strength is wearing down.
So the word often tells a story of energy running low. It may describe a body that needs rest, a mind that has been under pressure for too long, or even a material that can no longer handle the strain. In each case, the core idea is the same: deep weariness and reduced strength after ongoing effort or stress.
Examples
- 1
Physical tiredness
After twelve hours on her feet, she was showing signs of fatigue.
- 2
Eye strain
Staring at a screen all day can cause eye fatigue.
- 3
Mental work
Mental fatigue made it hard for him to finish the report.
- 4
Sports
By the second half, fatigue had set in and the team slowed down.
- Phraseset in
begin and continue
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Medical concern
The doctor said her fatigue might be related to low iron.
- 6
Daily decisions
Parents often feel decision fatigue by the end of the day.
- Phrasedecision fatigue
tiredness from making too many decisions
- 7
Muscle use
The repeated lifting quickly fatigued the muscles in his back.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- fatiguenounverb
Forms
- fatiguedpast tenseverbnoun
- fatiguesverbnoun
- fatiguing-ing formverbnoun