weary of

weary of — idiom

1. to feel tired of or bored with something that has been going on for too long, so

1.idiomB2
Definition

to feel tired of or bored with something that has been going on for too long, so that you no longer find it interesting or acceptable

Example

Clara grew [H]weary of[/H] hearing the same budget arguments month after month.

grow weary of + gerund (hearing)

Wei became [H]weary of[/H] the constant noise from the construction site.

become weary of + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • grow weary of
  • become weary of
  • get weary of
  • be weary of
  • weary of waiting
  • weary of excuses
  • weary of complaints
  • weary of the same routine
Synonyms
  • tired of

    Less formal and more common in everyday speech; interchangeable in most contexts

  • bored with

    Focuses on a lack of stimulation or interest rather than exhaustion with the situation

  • fed up with

    Informal; stronger emotional tone of frustration or annoyance

  • sick of

    Informal and emphatic; implies irritation or disgust

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

grow/be/become/get weary of + noun

grow/be/become/get weary of + verb-ing

Usage Note

Often used with the verbs grow, become, or get, which emphasise the gradual process of losing interest. The pattern 'be weary of' describes an existing state rather than a developing one.

Common Mistakes

I am weary of to wait for the bus.
I am weary of waiting for the bus.
Use a gerund (verb-ing), not an infinitive, after 'weary of'.
The food was weary of.
I was weary of the food.
'Weary of' describes a person's feeling toward something, not the thing itself.

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

'Tired of' is the closest neutral synonym and the most versatile in everyday conversation. 'Bored with' emphasises a lack of stimulation rather than fatigue, so it fits situations where something is simply not engaging enough. 'Fed up with' carries a stronger tone of frustration — it suggests the person has reached a limit and is annoyed. 'Sick of' is the most emphatic and informal of the group, often expressing irritation or disgust. For example, a commuter might be 'tired of' train delays after a week, 'fed up with' them after a month, and 'sick of' them after a year of daily disruptions.

tired ofbored withfed up withsick of

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The phrase 'weary of' comes from the Old English adjective 'wērig', meaning 'tired, exhausted'. The verb sense 'to become tired of' developed later, with 'weary of' becoming a fixed phrase by the 16th century. The underlying root is related to Old Saxon 'wōrig' and Old High German 'wuorag', all suggesting a state of physical or mental exhaustion.