fired
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for fired, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Dismissed from a job.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fired
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From fire, going back through Old English fȳr to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "fire."
Full origin of fired →Frequently asked questions
What does “fired” mean?
The word “fired” means dismissed from a job. In plain terms, either let go from a job, or hardened by heat (like pottery in a kiln).
How do you pronounce “fired”?
“Fired” is pronounced FEYE-uhd (/ˈfaɪ̯ɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “fired” in a sentence?
Here is “fired” used in a sentence: “She got fired for showing up late three times in a row.”
What part of speech is “fired”?
“Fired” is an adjective.
Where does the word “fired” come from?
The word “fired” comes from Old English. From fire, going back through Old English fȳr to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "fire.".
Is “fired” a common word?
“Fired” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fired” have?
“Fired” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dismissed from a job.
What is the difference between being fired and laid off?
Being fired usually means you were dismissed because of your own conduct or performance, so the reason relates to you. Being laid off means your position was cut for business reasons, such as cost-saving or restructuring, through no fault of your own. Layoffs are generally seen as more neutral than firings.
What is the difference between being fired and quitting?
Being fired is the employer's decision to end your employment. Quitting, or resigning, is your own decision to leave. The difference matters for references and benefits: people who are fired can often claim unemployment support, while those who quit voluntarily usually cannot, depending on local rules and the reasons involved.
Is being fired the same as being terminated?
They mean much the same thing, but terminated is the formal, neutral term employers use in official documents, while fired is the everyday spoken word. Termination can technically cover any end of employment, including layoffs, whereas fired more strongly implies dismissal for cause, such as misconduct or poor performance.