fatigue
fuh-TEEG
/fəˈtiːɡ/
Extreme tiredness or exhaustion resulting from illness, mental exertion, or physical labor.
Deeper and more persistent than everyday sleepiness; represents systemic energy depletion.
The story behind the word. Borrowed into Middle English from French, from Latin 'fatigare' (to wear down or tire). The root is related to 'affatim' (enough to burst) and 'fatis' (gaping crack).
Word relationships
- exhaustion: 'Exhaustion' highlights total physical depletion of fuel or stamina.
- weariness: 'Weariness' carries a connotation of emotional or mental weight.
- vigor: 'Vigor' represents active physical strength and energy.
- vitality: 'Vitality' implies abundant life force and energy.
Commonly confused with
- lethargy: Fatigue is physical depletion of strength, while lethargy is a state of dull, sluggish apathy.
Word family
- fatigued (adjective): Extremely tired.
- fatiguing (adjective): Causing weariness or exhaustion.
Collocations
- chronic fatigue
- muscle fatigue
- combat fatigue
- mental fatigue
Idioms & expressions
- decision fatigue
- compassion fatigue
Example sentences
- "Lingering fatigue kept her resting in bed long after her fever had broken." Viral recovery narrative
Memory hook
FATIGUE leaves you so TIRED you can barely MOVE. Deep body tiredness.
When not to use
Do not use for mere light drowsiness after lunch; fatigue implies deep physical or mental draining.
Fun facts
- In engineering, 'metal fatigue' describes structural weakness caused by repeated stress cycles over time.
Also appears in
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