fatigue
fuh-TEEG
Fatigue (noun) means Extreme tiredness, whether physical or mental, from exertion or lack of rest. Example: “Drivers should stop for a rest if they feel fatigue creeping in.”
noun
1
Extreme tiredness, whether physical or mental, from exertion or lack of rest.
"Drivers should stop for a rest if they feel fatigue creeping in."
"Mental fatigue made it hard for him to concentrate after the long exam."
"By the end of the shift, fatigue had set in and her hands were shaking."
2
(engineering) The weakening of a material caused by repeated stress over time.
"Fatigue caused tiny cracks to spread through the old bridge cable."
"The bolt snapped because of fatigue after thousands of cycles of pressure."
"Engineers inspect aircraft wings regularly for signs of metal fatigue."
verb
1
To make someone very tired through effort or exertion.
"Hours of marking essays fatigued the teacher more than she expected."
"Don't fatigue the horse by riding it too hard in the heat."
"The long hike fatigued even the fittest members of the group."
How to use fatigue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deep sense of tiredness, or (in engineering) the gradual weakening of a material under repeated stress.
Common pairings
chronic fatigue
battle fatigue
metal fatigue
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- fatigues
- Past tense
- fatigued
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Drivers should stop for a rest if they feel _____ creeping in.
Etymology
From French fatiguer, from Latin fatigare, "to tire out, weary".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fatigue
See all rhymes for fatigue →Frequently asked questions
What does “fatigue” mean?
The word “fatigue” means extreme tiredness, whether physical or mental, from exertion or lack of rest. In plain terms, a deep sense of tiredness, or (in engineering) the gradual weakening of a material under repeated stress.
How do you pronounce “fatigue”?
“Fatigue” is pronounced fuh-TEEG (/fəˈtiːɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fatigue” in a sentence?
Here is “fatigue” used in a sentence: “By the end of the shift, fatigue had set in and her hands were shaking.”
What part of speech is “fatigue”?
Depending on how it is used, “fatigue” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fatigue” come from?
The word “fatigue” comes from Latin. From French fatiguer, from Latin fatigare, "to tire out, weary".
Is “fatigue” a common word?
“Fatigue” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “fatigue” have?
“Fatigue” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extreme tiredness, whether physical or mental, from exertion or lack of rest.
What is the difference between fatigue and tiredness?
Fatigue typically refers to extreme tiredness, whether physical or mental, resulting from significant exertion or lack of rest, and often implies a more persistent or severe state. Ordinary tiredness can be milder and resolve quickly with a short rest, while fatigue can linger and affect daily functioning.
What is metal fatigue?
Metal fatigue is an engineering term for the weakening of a material caused by repeated stress over time, which can eventually lead to cracking or failure even under loads well below the material's normal strength limit. This technical sense extends the idea of gradual weakening from exertion to physical materials rather than people.
What is compassion fatigue?
Compassion fatigue describes a state of extreme mental and emotional tiredness that results from prolonged exposure to others' suffering, often affecting caregivers, healthcare workers, or those in helping professions. It reflects the mental sense of fatigue as tiredness from sustained emotional exertion.
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