retire
retire — verb
1. to stop working in a paid job, generally after reaching an age where you no long
to stop working in a paid job, generally after reaching an age where you no longer wish or need to work, or when ill health forces you to
Lakshmi plans to retire from teaching at the end of this school year.
retire from [job/profession]
The company gave him a watch when he retired after forty-two years of service.
My grandfather retired from the fire department and now spends his days gardening.
A back injury forced her to retire early since she could not stand all day.
- step down
less common for regular jobs, more for positions of authority or leadership
- give up work
informal; does not imply reaching a set retirement age
- leave the workforce
formal; used for a whole population or sector, not one person
文法句型
retire + from + [job/company]
用法筆記
Intransitive only in this sense — the job or employer follows the preposition 'from', not the verb directly. Frequently paired with 'at [age]' (retire at 65) or 'in [year]' (retired in 2022).
常見錯誤
2. to leave a sports event or competition before it ends, typically because of an i
to leave a sports event or competition before it ends, typically because of an injury or illness that prevents you from continuing
Wei retired from the marathon after twisting his ankle at the fifteen-kilometre mark.
retire from [event] at [distance/time]
The champion cyclist retired from the race with a broken collarbone.
retire from [event] with [injury]
Gabriela had to retire during the final set because of severe leg cramps.
Three runners retired from the heat before the semi-finals even began.
文法句型
retire + from + [race/competition]
retire + with + [injury]
用法筆記
Use 'retire from [event]' for the competition being abandoned, or 'retire with [injury/illness]' to specify the cause. Unlike sense 1, this sense never takes a that-clause or infinitive.
常見錯誤
3. to force a worker to stop doing their job, typically when they arrive at a stand
to force a worker to stop doing their job, typically when they arrive at a standard retirement age or are in poor health
The airline retired all pilots over the age of sixty-five last year.
retired + [group] over [age]
The university retired Professor Okafor when he turned seventy.
The company retired a hundred senior managers after the merger.
Dr. Chen was retired from her position as director after thirty years of service.
- pension off
informal; suggests giving a pension at the same time
- make redundant
different reason — redundancy is about job elimination, not age
文法句型
retire + [person]
be retired + from + [position]
用法筆記
The subject is always an employer, organisation, or institution — never the worker. This sense is frequently used in the passive ('be retired'). Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 1 the worker makes the choice; in sense 3 a higher authority makes the decision.
常見錯誤
4. in baseball, to put a batter or a side out, ending their turn at hitting
in baseball, to put a batter or a side out, ending their turn at hitting
The pitcher retired the first three batters in a row without allowing a single hit.
retired [number] batters in a row
Luca retired the side with two strikeouts and a ground ball to shortstop.
retired the side
The shortstop made a diving catch and retired the batter at first base.
The relief pitcher came in and retired all six batters he faced.
- put out
general baseball term; retire is the technical verb
- strike out
only when the batter misses three pitches, a subset of retiring
文法句型
retire + [batter/side]
用法筆記
Domain-specific to baseball. The object can be a batter (one player), a side (three batters), or a team. 'Retire the side in order' means all three batters are put out consecutively. Not used in other sports.
常見錯誤
5. to take a piece of equipment, vehicle, or system out of use, often because it is
to take a piece of equipment, vehicle, or system out of use, often because it is old, worn out, or no longer needed
The city retired the old tram system and replaced it with electric buses.
retire [equipment/system] and replace with [new]
The navy retired the battleship after fifty years of active service.
retire [vehicle] after [duration]
Japan retired the bullet train model after two decades of reliable service.
The museum retired the outdated computer system and installed a digital archive.
- phase out
suggests gradual removal over time rather than a single action
- take out of service
more formal; common in military and transport contexts
- decommission
formal; used for large equipment like ships or power plants
文法句型
retire + [equipment/system]
be retired + from + [service]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive (a plane is retired, coins are retired). The object is typically machinery, vehicles, currency, equipment, or computer systems — never people. Use 'retire from service' for a more formal tone.
常見錯誤
6. to exit a gathering or crowded location and go to a more peaceful place for priv
to exit a gathering or crowded location and go to a more peaceful place for privacy
After dinner, the host retired to the study to read his newspaper in peace.
retired to [place] to [activity]
The jury retired to a private room to discuss their verdict.
retired to [room] to [purpose]
Imani retired from the noisy living room to answer the phone in the hallway.
The judge retired to her chambers to review the evidence before the hearing.
- withdraw
similar formality level; more common in official or military contexts
- excuse oneself
polite; focuses on the social act of leaving a group
文法句型
retire + to + [place]
retire + from + [place]
用法筆記
Formal register — more common in written narratives and official contexts than in everyday speech. Use 'retire to [destination]' to state where the person goes, or 'retire from [origin]' to state what place they leave.
常見錯誤
7. to go to your bed to sleep for the night
to go to your bed to sleep for the night
The guests retired for the night around eleven o'clock.
retired for the night at [time]
Sivan retired to her room after a long day of travel.
The elderly couple retired early, leaving the younger guests to enjoy the party.
The children were told to retire to their rooms at nine sharp.
文法句型
retire + for the night
retire + to + [bedroom]
用法筆記
Old-fashioned or formal register. More common in written narratives, historical fiction, and formal invitations than everyday conversation. In modern speech, 'go to bed' is strongly preferred. The fixed phrase 'retire for the night' is the most common use.
常見錯誤
8. to pull back from combat or a hazardous situation, in an organised way and often
to pull back from combat or a hazardous situation, in an organised way and often to avoid defeat or further loss
The general ordered the troops to retire to a safer position behind the river.
retire to [position] (military)
The soldiers retired from the front line when supplies ran low.
The cavalry retired to higher ground after spotting the enemy's reinforcements.
The fleet retired to the harbour after suffering heavy damage in the storm.
文法句型
retire + from + [battle/front]
retire + to + [position]
用法筆記
Formal register, primarily historical or military. In modern English, 'retreat' is more common for the same meaning. 'Retire' in this sense suggests a more planned, orderly withdrawal, while 'retreat' can imply urgency or flight.