How to pronounce tired
Say it like TY-erd. Tired has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tired. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TY
- erd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tired pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of tired
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TY-ud.
What does tired mean?
- depleted of strength or energy“tired mothers with crying babies”“too tired to eat”
- repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse“bromidic sermons”“his remarks were trite and commonplace”
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with tired
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tired.
Questions about saying tired
How do you pronounce tired?
Say TY-erd. The American pronunciation is /ˈtaɪɚd/. In British English it is /ˈtaɪəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tired?
Tired has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TY). Broken into parts: TY · erd.
Is tired pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtaɪəd/ (TY-ud).