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drained
/dreɪnd/
exhausted or completely depleted
After working a twelve-hour shift, she felt completely drained.
After working a twelve-hour shift, she felt extremely tired and devoid of energy.
informal
Extremely tired and lacking energy, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally.
The long, stressful meeting left everyone feeling mentally drained.
The long and stressful meeting caused everyone to feel completely exhausted in their minds.
Often paired with modifying adverbs like 'emotionally', 'physically', or 'mentally'.
formal
Emptied of liquid, power, or financial resources.
The technician replaced the drained battery before starting the engine.
The technician replaced the empty, depleted battery before starting the engine.
Used literally for liquids or energy sources, and metaphorically for money or assets.
Collocations
feel drainedto experience total exhaustionemotionally draineddepleted of emotional energy or feelingsmentally drainedexhausted from intense focus, stress, or thinkingphysically drainedexhausted in body after hard work or exercisedrained of energyhaving no strength or vitality left
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Pair with adverbs for precision
Add 'mentally', 'emotionally', or 'physically' before 'drained' to give a precise explanation of why you feel exhausted.
Gold Rule
Drained vs. Tired
Use 'tired' when you simply need sleep or a break, but use 'drained' when your energy feels completely zeroed out.
Word Origin
Derived from Old English 'dreahnian' (meaning to strain out or drain liquid). Over time, the word developed a figurative sense describing the removal or depletion of human energy and vitality.
Usage Notes
'Drained' goes beyond being merely 'tired'; it implies that your energy reservoir has been emptied completely. It is commonly used when describing burnout from prolonged stress, difficult work, or intense social interaction.
Word Breakdown
drain
to empty or remove liquid/energy
root-ed
adjective suffix indicating a state resulting from an action
suffixEnglish Dictionary