burned-out

1 of 3

adjective

ˈbərnd-ˈau̇t 

ˈbərnt-ˈau̇t

variants or burnt-out

ˈbərnt-ˈau̇t 

1

: worn-out

also : exhausted

2

: destroyed by fire

a burned-out building

burnout

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

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 burned-out

Adjective

• tired
• exhausted
• weary
• drained

Noun

• exhaustion
• fatigue

Verb

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

Examples of burned-out in a Sentence

Adjective

I'm feeling so burned-out that I can't wait for vacation

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

Adjective

Replace and recycle burned-out or flickering bulbs. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Among the many other programmes, the three-day Feel Alive Again programme is suited to those suffering the after effects of the pandemic or generally burnt-out from the pace of 21st-century life. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

Noun

Rising costs, shrinking savings, economic uncertainty, and burnout have pushed many people to rethink what long-term security actually looks like. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Open communication can also prevent resentment and burnout from building. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 June 2026

Verb

And any high-achieving professionals aren’t simply burned out from external pressures. —Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

The massive stars that emerge from this frenzy of formation quickly burn out and explode in powerful supernovas, which blow powerful winds of their own. —Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for burned-out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

burned-out

adjective

ˈbərnd-ˈau̇t, 

ˈbərnt-

variants or burnt-out

ˈbərnt-

1

: worn-out sense 2

2

: destroyed by fire

a burned-out building