exhaust
/ɪɡˈzɔːst/- 1.
To make someone feel completely drained of energy, so that they have nothing left. This goes beyond ordinary tiredness — it means reaching zero.
- The long hike exhausted everyone in the group.
- Working double shifts for a week exhausted her completely.
- Caring for three young children exhausted him by evening.
- 2.
To use up all of something — such as money, time, options, or resources — until nothing remains.
- The team exhausted all possible solutions before giving up.
- They had exhausted their budget by the third month.
- We must exhaust every option before making a final decision.
The waste gases or fumes that come out of an engine, especially from a car, bus, or factory machine.
- Car exhaust is a major source of air pollution in cities.
- The old truck released thick black exhaust into the air.
Adinary Nuance
'Exhaust' sits in a cluster with 'tire,' 'drain,' 'deplete,' and 'wear out,' but it is the most total and final of all of them. 'Tire' simply means to make someone less energetic; 'exhaust' means to reach zero — completely empty. 'Drain' suggests a gradual, ongoing process, while 'exhaust' marks the endpoint of that process. For resources, 'deplete' is the closest rival and equally formal, but 'deplete' stays in the resource domain; 'exhaust' works for both people and things, making it more versatile in academic writing. In IELTS essays and reports, the fixed phrase 'exhaust all options/possibilities' is a high-scoring collocation that 'deplete' or 'drain' simply cannot replace.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Làm kiệt sức / khí thải
- Spanish
- agotar / escape
- Chinese
- 耗尽 / 废气
- Japanese
- 使い果たす / 排気
- Korean
- 소진시키다 / 배기가스
Etymology
From Latin 'exhaurire' — meaning 'to draw out' or 'drain completely' — via Old French, entering English in the late 16th century. The root idea of pulling something out until the vessel is empty still drives all three modern meanings.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'exhaust' and 'tire'?
- 'Tire' means to become or feel less energetic — it's moderate. 'Exhaust' means to be completely drained, with nothing left. Use 'exhaust' when you want to express a total, extreme level of tiredness.
- Can 'exhaust' be used as a noun?
- Yes. As a noun, 'exhaust' refers to the waste gases or fumes from an engine. For example: 'exhaust fumes from vehicles cause air pollution.' The verb and noun forms are spelled identically.
- Is 'exhaust all options' a good phrase for IELTS writing?
- Absolutely. 'Exhaust all options' or 'exhaust every possibility' is a natural, high-level academic collocation. It signals that every avenue was tried before a conclusion was reached, which is useful in argumentative and discursive essays.
- Is 'exhaust' formal or informal?
- 'Exhaust' is neutral-to-formal. It fits comfortably in academic essays, reports, and IELTS writing. In casual spoken English, people more often say 'worn out' or 'drained,' but 'exhausted' as an adjective ('I'm exhausted') is perfectly natural in everyday speech too.