overtire
C2Formal to neutral, slightly literary
Definition
Meaning
To cause to become too tired; to tire to an excessive degree.
To exhaust oneself or someone else beyond a reasonable or healthy limit, often leading to diminished physical or mental capacity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies a causative action (making someone/oneself tired) and carries a nuance of exceeding a healthy or sensible limit. It is more specific and intentional than simply 'tire'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally uncommon in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight connotation of parental or self-care advice (e.g., 'Don't overtire yourself').
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both varieties. More common in written advice or descriptive prose than in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] overtire [Object] (transitive)[Subject] overtire (oneself) (reflexive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't overtire yourself (a common piece of advice).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially in HR or wellness contexts: 'The new policy aims to prevent employees from overtiring themselves.'
Academic
Rare, possibly in medical, nursing, or sports science literature discussing recovery and fatigue.
Everyday
Most common in caring contexts: advice to convalescing individuals, parents about children, or self-care.
Technical
Used in physiotherapy, occupational health, and sports medicine to describe excessive fatigue leading to injury or burnout.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- After her illness, she was careful not to overtire herself.
- The long walk in the Lake District completely overtired the children.
American English
- He overtired his muscles at the gym and could hardly move the next day.
- New parents are often warned about overtiring the baby.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'overtiredly' is virtually non-existent and unnatural.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'overtiredly' is virtually non-existent and unnatural.)
adjective
British English
- An overtired toddler is rarely cooperative.
- She looked overtired and in need of a proper holiday.
American English
- The team was overtired from back-to-back games and their performance suffered.
- His overtired eyes betrayed the long hours he'd been working.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby is crying because he is overtired.
- Don't overtire yourself!
- If you overtire yourself now, you won't have energy for the party later.
- She felt overtired after the long journey.
- Athletes must balance training with rest to avoid overtiring their bodies.
- His doctor advised him to pace his recovery and not risk overtiring his heart.
- The relentless schedule of the diplomatic tour threatened to overtire even the most seasoned officials.
- Chronic stress can lead to a state of being perpetually overtired, impacting cognitive function.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of OVER doing something until you get TIRED = OVERTIRE.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGY/STRENGTH IS A FUEL TANK (overtiring is depleting the tank below the safe reserve).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from "переутомить" in casual contexts where simple "tire out" is more natural.
- The prefix 'over-' is crucial; 'overtire' ≠ 'tire' (устать). It implies an excess.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'overtire' intransitively without a reflexive pronoun (e.g., 'I overtire easily' is less standard than 'I *easily overtire myself*' or 'I tire easily').
- Confusing it with 'overfire' (to overheat or over-stimulate, e.g., a furnace or an employee).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'overtire' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency word (C2 level). In everyday speech, people are more likely to say 'tire out', 'exhaust', or 'wear out'.
It is primarily a transitive verb. The intransitive use (e.g., 'I overtire easily') is less common and considered non-standard by some dictionaries; the reflexive form ('I overtire myself easily') or using 'tire easily' is preferred.
'Tire' means to become weary. 'Overtire' adds the crucial meaning of 'to an excessive or harmful degree'. It implies going beyond a normal or safe limit of fatigue.
Yes, significantly. The adjective 'overtired' is widely used, especially regarding children ('an overtired baby'). The verb is less frequently employed.