• Dictionary
  • List of exercises
  • Exercises by level

Meaning of retire in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /rəˈtaɪ(ə)r/

    US accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce retire in American English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.

    UK accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce retire in British English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.
  1. Verb

    retire

    Etymology

    mid 16th century (in the sense ‘withdraw to a place of safety or seclusion’): from French retirer, from re-‘back’ + tirer‘draw’

    Definitions

    1. go into retirement

    Examples

    • « stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position »
    • « He retired at age 68 »
  2. 2. withdraw from active participation

    Examples

    • « He retired from chess »
  3. 3. pull back or move away or backward

    Examples

    • « The enemy withdrew »
    • « The limo pulled away from the curb »
  4. 4. move back and away from

    Examples

    • « The enemy fell back »

    Antonyms

    • advance
    • progress
    • pass on
    • move on
    • march on
    • go on
  5. 5. withdraw from circulation or from the market, as of bills, shares, and bonds
  6. 6. break from a meeting or gathering

    Examples

    • « We adjourned for lunch »
    • « The men retired to the library »
  7. 7. make (someone) retire

    Examples

    • « The director was retired after the scandal »
  8. 8. dispose of

    Examples

    • « as of old clothes »
    • « She finally retired that old coat »
  9. 9. lose interest

    Examples

    • « he retired from life when his wife died »
  10. 10. cause to be out on a fielding play
  11. 11. cause to retire

    Examples

    • « The pitcher retired three batters »
    • « the runner was put out at third base »
  12. 12. go to bed in order to sleep

    Examples

    • « I usually turn in at midnight »
    • « He turns out at the crack of dawn »

    Antonyms

    • get up
    • turn out
    • arise
    • uprise
    • rise
    • get up
    • turn out
    • arise
    • uprise
    • rise

Navigation

    Books Teacher Resources About Contact

Lessons

    Beginner Intermediate Advanced
© 2021, NAGEL PTY LTD 🇦🇺 • Terms • Privacy