retired

1 of 2

adjective

re·​tired ri-ˈtī(-ə)rd 

1

: secluded

a retired village

2

: withdrawn from one's position or occupation : having concluded one's working or professional career

a group of retired teachers

3

: received by or due to one in retirement

retired pay

retiredly

ri-ˈtī-rəd-lē, 

-ˈtī(-ə)rd- 

adverb

retiredness

ri-ˈtī(-ə)rd-nəs 

noun

retired

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of retire

Synonyms of retired

Adjective

• secluded
• sheltered
• isolated
• hidden
• quiet

Examples of retired in a Sentence

Adjective

hiked out to a retired beach and fished in the surf

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Brian Oswald, a 69-year-old retired forestry professor from Nacogdoches, Texas, came straight to Oktoberfest after landing on an overnight flight from the United States. — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Frank Hosek is a freelance travel writer based just outside the Chicago area and a retired director of human resources for an Illinois company. — Frank Hosek, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Jury convicts four in June A jury on June 5 convicted Jones, his wife, Kateryna, and retired union executive William Creeden of racketeering conspiracy, embezzlement and other felonies. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Some retired employees who worked undercover might need protection services like relocation assistance or even name changes if their data is exposed publicly. — Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for retired

• reacquired
• aspired
• attired
• expired
• mired
• quired
• spired

Kids Definition

retired

adjective

re·​tired

1

: secluded sense 1

a retired village

2

: not working at active duties or business