What is retire? Pronunciation and usage in English

retire means . Learn how to pronounce and use retire through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of retire

retireverb

/rɪˈtʌɪə/
Definition & pronunciation of retire

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "retire." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈriːˌtɪər (pronounced: REE-tih-er)

    • ˈriː - This part sounds like the "ree" in "see" or "tree." It’s a short, clear vowel sound.
    • ˌtɪər - This part is the most challenging. It's a combination sound:
      • t - A quick, short "t" sound
      • ɪər - This is the tricky part! It's a diphthong (a vowel sound that smoothly changes). It sounds like the "ear" in "near" or "fear," but shorter and more clipped. Think of it as a very quick "ih-er" sound.

2. British English Pronunciation:

  • riˈtair (pronounced: rih-TAIR)

    • ri - Like the "ri" in "right."
    • ˈtair - This is close to the American pronunciation, but with a more distinct "air" sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Practice the "ih-er" sound: This is the key to the American pronunciation. Try saying "ih-er" quickly and repeatedly.
  • Don't overemphasize the 't': In both pronunciations, the 't' is very subtle and almost blends into the "ih-er."
  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear how native speakers pronounce it. You can find plenty of examples on:
    • Google: Search "how to pronounce retire" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/retire/ This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.
    • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce retire” on YouTube.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Which version of English are you most interested in learning (American or British)?

Usage and examples with the word retire in English

Let's break down how to use the word "retire" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings! Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. To Stop Working (Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: To stop working in a job or profession, usually after a long period of time.
  • Structure: Someone retire(s)
  • Examples:
    • "My father is planning to retire next year after 40 years at the bank."
    • "She retired in 2018 and now spends her time traveling."
    • "Many teachers retire around the age of 65."
    • "He retired early to pursue his passion for painting."

2. To Withdraw (From Something)

  • Definition: To withdraw from a contest, game, or commitment. This is less common than the first meaning but still important to understand.
  • Structure: Someone retire(s) from something.
  • Examples:
    • "The tennis player retired from the tournament due to an injury."
    • "He retired from his position on the board of directors."
    • "The team retired the number 17 in honor of their legendary player."

3. To Withdraw Savings (Less Common)

  • Definition: To take money out of a savings account. (This usage is becoming less common with the rise of online banking.)
  • Structure: Someone retire(s) money from something.
  • Example:
    • "He retired a significant portion of his savings to invest in real estate."

4. (Of an animal) To Hide or Seek Shelter

  • Definition: To go into hiding or to seek shelter, often during cold weather or to escape danger.
  • Structure: An animal retire(s)
  • Examples:
    • "The squirrels retired to their nests for the winter."
    • "The birds retired to the barn as the storm approached."

Key Points & Grammar:

  • Verb: "Retire" is a verb (an action word).
  • Regular Verb: It follows the standard rules for regular verbs – adding "-ed" for the past tense and past participle:
    • Past Tense: “He retired.”
    • Past Participle: “He has retired.”
  • Subject-Verb Agreement: The verb "retire" doesn’t change form based on the subject (I, you, he/she/it, we, they).

Synonyms:

Depending on the context, you could use these words instead of "retire":

  • Quit: (More informal, often used for jobs)
  • Step down: (Formal, often used for positions of authority)
  • Leave: (General term for stopping something)
  • Withdraw: (For withdrawing funds or withdrawing from an activity)
  • Hang up (one’s boots): (informal, usually for sports)

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking of when you want to use the word "retire"? (e.g., talking about someone's career, an animal's behavior, or withdrawing money?)

Synonyms for the word retire

Practice with vocabulary retire

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After a distinguished career spanning four decades, Professor Anya Sharma plans to __________ next year.
  2. The company decided to __________ its old fleet of delivery vans, replacing them with more fuel-efficient models.
  3. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the CEO had to __________ from her position unexpectedly, rather than at the usual age.
  4. To ensure financial stability in the future, it's crucial to __________ a portion of one's income for long-term investments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following actions typically involves ceasing one's professional working life, often due to age or a chosen end to a career? a) promote b) resign c) retire d) transfer

  2. When an organization decides to permanently remove an asset, such as an old piece of machinery or an outdated product line, from active service, it might: a) upgrade it b) rebrand it c) retire it d) lease it

  3. After many years of dedicated service, a senior executive might choose to _________ from their leadership role, often signaling the end of their professional career. a) step down b) retire c) be promoted d) transfer out e) resign

  4. If an employee leaves a job voluntarily before reaching the typical age for ending a career, often due to dissatisfaction or another opportunity, they most commonly: a) get fired b) resign c) get promoted d) get demoted

  5. What might a city do with an outdated public building that is no longer safe or functional for its original purpose? a) renovate it b) construct it c) commission it d) decommission it

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. My grandmother stopped working permanently at the age of 70 to enjoy her hobbies. (Rewrite using "retire")
  2. The military will take the aging aircraft out of active service next year and replace them with newer models. (Rewrite using "retire")
  3. The project manager decided to give up her leading role in the current project due to an unexpected family emergency. (Rewrite without using "retire")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. retire
  2. retire
  3. resign
  4. allocate

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) retire
  2. c) retire it
  3. a) step down, b) retire, e) resign
  4. b) resign
  5. d) decommission it

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. My grandmother decided to retire at the age of 70 to enjoy her hobbies.
  2. The military will retire the aging aircraft from active service next year and replace them with newer models.
  3. The project manager decided to resign from her leading role in the current project due to an unexpected family emergency.

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