What is the difference between tired and sleepy?

Tired means you need rest. Sleepy means you want to fall asleep.

Is tired formal or informal?

Tired is neutral and common in both speaking and writing.

Can tired mean bored or annoyed?

Yes. You can say you are tired of something you dislike or keep hearing.

← Dictionary

tired

/ˈtaɪəd/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Feeling the need to rest because of work, lack of sleep, or effort. It can also mean bored or fed up with something.

I am too tired to study tonight.
She looked tired after the night shift.
I’m tired of waiting.

Adinary Nuance

Tired is the most general word for low energy or a need for rest. It is more everyday than exhausted, which suggests a stronger level of fatigue. It is also different from sleepy, which means you want to sleep, not just rest. Use tired for both physical weariness and feeling fed up.

In other languages

Vietnamese: mệt mỏi
Spanish: cansado
Chinese: 疲倦
Japanese: 疲れた
Korean: 피곤한

Etymology

Tired comes from Old English teorian, meaning 'to weary' or 'to fail'. The modern adjective developed from this idea of weariness.

Common phrases

too tired totired and sleepylook tired

Synonyms

weary exhausted sleepy

Related words

fatigued rested bored fed up

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between tired and sleepy?: Tired means you need rest. Sleepy means you want to fall asleep.
Is tired formal or informal?: Tired is neutral and common in both speaking and writing.
Can tired mean bored or annoyed?: Yes. You can say you are tired of something you dislike or keep hearing.