fired
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /faɪəd/
KK: /faɪrd/
adjective
Definition
No longer employed due to being dismissed from a job.
Example
After the company downsized, many employees were fired.
Conversation
Did you hear about Mark? He got fired last week.
No way! What happened?
Apparently, the company was cutting costs and he was one of the first to go.
That's tough! I hope he finds something better soon.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
dismissed
terminated
released
Antonyms
hired
employed
retained
verb
Definition
To have been dismissed from a job or position.
Example
He was fired from his job for being late too many times.
Tense Forms
Past: fired
Past Participle: fired
Conversation
Did you hear that Tom got fired from his job?
No way! What happened?
Apparently, he missed too many deadlines last month.
Root Explanation
The word 'fired' originates from the Old English 'fyr' (meaning fire) and the suffix '-ed' (indicating a past action). It describes the state of having been subjected to fire or heat, often in the context of being dismissed from a job.
Memory Tip
Think of 'fire' as the source of heat and 'ed' indicating a past action — so 'fired' means having been subjected to fire or dismissed.
Visually Confused Words
fred
unfired
fiorded
figured
fibered
wired
tired
hired