verb
retire
rih-TEYE-uh
verb
1
To leave one's job permanently, usually after reaching a certain age.
"She plans to retire at sixty and travel the world."
2
To withdraw, especially to a quieter or more private place.
"After dinner, the guests retired to the drawing room."
3
To go to bed.
"He usually retires around ten o'clock."
How to Use Retire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop working for good, or more generally to withdraw somewhere quieter — including going to bed.
Common pairings
retire from work
retire early
retire to bed
Word Forms
retired past tense, retired past tense, retires plural, retires singular, retires singular
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She plans to _____ at sixty and travel the world.
Etymology
From Middle French retirer, "to draw back," from re- + tirer ("to pull").