burnout

1 of 2

noun

burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t 

1

: the cessation of operation usually of a jet or rocket engine

also : the point at which burnout occurs

2

a

: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration

b

: a person suffering from burnout

3

: a person showing the effects of drug abuse

burn out

2 of 2

verb

burned out or burnt out; burning out; burns out

transitive verb

1

: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire

2

: to cause to fail, wear out, or become exhausted especially from overwork or overuse

intransitive verb

: to suffer burnout

Synonyms of burnout

Noun

• exhaustion
• fatigue

Verb

• wear
• kill
• exhaust
• tire
• drain
• wear out
• wash out

Examples of burnout in a Sentence

Noun

Teaching can be very stressful, and many teachers eventually suffer burnout.

the burnout rate among teachers

a novel about academic burnouts

Verb

working 12-hour days at that job just burned me out

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Unlike burnout, which is typically associated with chronic stress and heavy workloads, career rust-out is linked to a lack of purpose, challenge or stimulation at work. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

Having a balance of work and play in your life can help decreases the likelihood of developing disorders like anxiety, depression, and burnout. — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 29 July 2026

Verb

Attempting to be all things to all people is a recipe for feeling burnt out and resentful, and your best people-pleasing efforts could surely backfire. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

This sounds basic, but many entrepreneurs skip it and risk burning out quickly. — Yulia Fedorishina, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for burnout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout
• dugout

Kids Definition

burnout

1 of 2 noun

burn·​out ˈbər-ˌnau̇t 

1

: the ending of operation of a jet or rocket engine as a result of the using up or shutting off of fuel

2

: the point in a flight at which burnout occurs

3

: exhaustion of one's bodily or mental strength

burn out

2 of 2 verb

1

: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire

2

: to cause to wear out or become exhausted

Medical Definition

burnout

noun

burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t 

1

a

: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration

b

: a person affected with burnout

2

: a person showing the effects of drug abuse