retire
rih-TEYE-uh
Retire (verb) means to leave one's job permanently, usually after reaching a certain age. Example: “My grandfather decided to retire after forty years as a bus driver.”
verb
1
To leave one's job permanently, usually after reaching a certain age.
"My grandfather decided to retire after forty years as a bus driver."
"Many teachers retire early to spend more time with their grandchildren."
"She plans to retire at sixty and travel the world."
2
To withdraw, especially to a quieter or more private place.
"The judge retired to her chambers to consider the case."
"When the noise grew too loud, he retired to the quiet of the library."
"After dinner, the guests retired to the drawing room."
3
To go to bed.
"The children were tired, so they retired early after the long journey."
"I tend to retire soon after the evening news ends."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- retires
- Third person singular
- retires
- Past tense
- retired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My grandfather decided to _____ after forty years as a bus driver.
Etymology
From Middle French retirer, "to draw back," from re- + tirer ("to pull").
Related words
Rhymes for retire
See all rhymes for retire →Frequently asked questions
What does “retire” mean?
The word “retire” means to leave one's job permanently, usually after reaching a certain age. In plain terms, to stop working for good, or more generally to withdraw somewhere quieter — including going to bed.
How do you pronounce “retire”?
“Retire” is pronounced rih-TEYE-uh (/ɹəˈtaɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “retire” in a sentence?
Here is “retire” used in a sentence: “She plans to retire at sixty and travel the world.”
What part of speech is “retire”?
“Retire” is a verb.
Where does the word “retire” come from?
The word “retire” comes from Middle French. From Middle French retirer, "to draw back," from re- + tirer ("to pull").
Is “retire” a common word?
“Retire” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “retire” have?
“Retire” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to leave one's job permanently, usually after reaching a certain age.
What is the difference between retire and resign?
To resign is to give up a particular job or position at any stage of your career, often to move on to something else. To retire is to leave working life permanently, usually after reaching a certain age or completing a career.
What is the difference between retire and quit?
Quit is an informal word for leaving a job for any reason and at any age. Retire specifically means ending your working life permanently, and it usually carries the sense of an earned conclusion — a pension, a farewell, and no plan to take another job.
What is the difference between retire and retreat?
Both can mean to withdraw, but retreat implies pulling back from danger, pressure, or confrontation, as in a military retreat. Retire is more neutral and often simply means moving away to a quieter or more private place.
