tiredly
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈaɪədlɪ/
US
- /tˈaɪərdli/
Description
- wearily
- in a tired way
- with little energy
- as if worn out
Imagine a hiker coming back from a long trek. They do not just walk to the cabin; they walk *tiredly. This adverb describes how an action is done when someone has very little energy left. It is more than a feeling. You can see it in the way a person moves, speaks, or breathes. Someone might sigh tiredly after a long day or drop into a chair tiredly. A dog might wag its tail tiredly after hours of play, or a student might answer a teacher's questions tiredly* after being up all night. The word adds a clear sense of visible tiredness to the verb it describes.
"Tiredly" is an adverb used to describe doing something in a tired, worn-out way. The tiredness may be physical, mental, or emotional. The word does more than say that someone feels tired; it shows that the tiredness affects the way they act.
In narrative writing, this word helps show rather than simply tell. Instead of saying a character is exhausted, a writer might describe them sinking into a chair *tiredly, with their shoulders drooping after a hard day. A character might answer a phone call tiredly*, with a flat voice and slow reactions. This gives the reader a clear picture of weariness.
You will often see "tiredly" with verbs of movement or speech. For example: "She rubbed her eyes *tiredly before turning the next page," or "He nodded tiredly, with no energy left for a full argument." It can also be used with verbs like walking, climbing, speaking, or smiling to show that even a small action takes effort. Although it often refers to physical tiredness, it can also describe emotional tiredness. Someone might laugh tiredly* at a joke after a difficult week, showing that they are worn down inside as well. Overall, the word adds a strong sense of low energy and visible fatigue to an action.
Examples
- 1
Direct speech
"I can't keep my eyes open," Mia said tiredly.
- 2
Small gesture
He nodded tiredly and closed his laptop.
- 3
After work
After the night shift, she walked home tiredly.
- 4
Workplace reminder
The manager tiredly repeated that the report was due by Friday.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- tiredlyadverb