burnout

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

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

Noun

• collapse
• exhaustion
• fatigue
• frazzle
• lassitude
• prostration
• tiredness
• weariness

Verb

• break
• bust
• do in
• do up
• drain
• exhaust
• fag
• fatigue
• frazzle
• harass
• kill
• knock out
• outwear
• tire
• tucker (out)
• wash out
• wear
• wear out
• weary

Examples of burnout in a Sentence

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

Noun

According to the Harvard Business Review, commuting forces more structure into a person's daily routine and allows workers to set boundaries between their work and being at home, which can reportedly reduce burnout. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

The video is likely to pop up in the TikTok or Instagram Reel feeds of fans, many of whom might find Eminem’s palpable sense of burnout relatable and his words, therefore, more credible. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2024

Verb

When Berry suffered a brain aneurysm and left the band, burned out and artistically spent, in 1997, R.E.M. carried on as a trio, but its sales dwindled and so did its zeitgeist-y buzz. —Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

While being an informed citizen who's up to date on the race and the candidates' stances and plans is admirable, there is such a thing as burning out on political news when the election is so emotional and heated. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

burnout

1 of 2 noun

burn·​out ˈbər-ˌnau̇t 

1

: the ending of operation of a jet or rocket engine as a result of the using up or shutting off of fuel

2

: the point in a flight at which burnout occurs

3

: exhaustion of one's bodily or mental strength

burn out

2 of 2 verb

1

: to drive out or destroy the property of by fire

2

: to cause to wear out or become exhausted

Medical Definition

burnout

noun

burn·​out ˈbərn-ˌau̇t 

1

a

: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration

b

: a person affected with burnout

2

: a person showing the effects of drug abuse