Drained: meaning, definitions and examples

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drained

 

[dreɪnd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling exhausted

Drained means extremely tired or exhausted, usually as a result of physical or emotional exertion. It can also refer to something that has been completely emptied of its contents.

Synonyms

exhausted, fatigued, spent, worn out.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
drained

Used to describe a feeling of being emotionally or physically depleted, often after a particular effort or activity.

  • After the long meeting, I felt completely drained
  • She looked drained after dealing with the crisis
exhausted

Indicates a state of being extremely tired, typically after intense physical or mental activity.

  • He was exhausted after running the marathon
  • They felt exhausted after studying for the final exams
fatigued

Typically used in a medical or technical context to describe extreme tiredness or weariness, can be both physical and mental.

  • The patient reported feeling fatigued after the treatment
  • He was fatigued by the end of the long day
worn out

Describes a state of being physically or emotionally tired, often after repetitive or long-lasting activity. Can sometimes imply being used up or depleted.

  • My shoes are worn out from all the hiking
  • He felt worn out after working overtime for several days
spent

Implies that all energy or resources have been used up, often leaving one in a state of incapacity.

  • She was completely spent after the intense workout
  • By the end of the week, he felt utterly spent

Examples of usage

  • I felt completely drained after running a marathon.
  • She looked drained after working long hours without a break.
  • The lake was drained to repair the dam.
  • The drained bottle was left on the table.
Context #2 | Verb

removing liquid from a container

Drained as a verb means to remove liquid from a container or area. It can also refer to the process of emptying something completely.

Synonyms

deplete, empty, extract, remove.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
drained

Used to describe people who are very tired or resources that are nearly used up.

  • After a long day at work, she felt completely drained.
  • The battery was drained after hours of playing games.
empty

Used to describe something that has nothing inside or something that has been completely used up.

  • The bottle is empty.
  • She opened the fridge to find it empty.
deplete

Used when resources are used up gradually, often implying a significant reduction.

  • Overfishing can deplete the oceans of valuable species.
  • The marathon runners quickly depleted their energy reserves.
remove

Used for taking something or someone away from a place or situation.

  • Please remove your shoes before entering.
  • The stain was difficult to remove from the fabric.
extract

Used when something is taken out, often with some effort or process involved.

  • The dentist had to extract the tooth.
  • Scientists extract DNA from cells for analysis.

Examples of usage

  • She drained the pasta before adding the sauce.
  • He drained the swimming pool for cleaning.
  • The kitchen sink was drained after washing the dishes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'drēogan,' which means to endure or suffer, highlighting a sense of effort leading to fatigue.
  • Originally referring to the act of removing liquid, it evolved to describe feeling exhausted, as people often feel drained of strength.

Psychology

  • Feeling drained can be a sign of emotional exhaustion, often linked to prolonged stress or difficult situations.
  • Research shows that mental fatigue can result in decreased performance in tasks, not just physical tiredness.
  • The concept of 'compassion fatigue' applies to caregivers who feel emotionally drained from caring for others.

Health

  • People who experience chronic fatigue syndrome often describe themselves as feeling drained and unable to participate in daily activities.
  • Hydration plays a key role in preventing feelings of being drained; dehydration can lead to fatigue and reduced energy levels.
  • Good sleep hygiene is crucial; not getting enough restful sleep can make a person feel drained during the day.

Pop Culture

  • In films, characters often express feeling drained after intense situations, underscoring the emotional impact of their experiences.
  • Musicians frequently write songs about feeling drained, reflecting on burnout and the challenges of their creative processes.

Literature

  • Writers often describe characters as 'drained' to illustrate their emotional or physical struggles, marking a turning point in their development.
  • In poetry, feelings of being drained can symbolize loss, longing, or the aftermath of a profound experience.

Translations

Translations of the word "drained" in other languages:

🇵🇹 drenado

🇮🇳 निथरना

🇩🇪 entleert

🇮🇩 terkuras

🇺🇦 злитий

🇵🇱 osuszony

🇯🇵 排出された (haishutsusareta)

🇫🇷 drainé

🇪🇸 drenado

🇹🇷 drenajlı

🇰🇷 배수된 (baesudaen)

🇸🇦 مصرف

🇨🇿 vyčerpaný

🇸🇰 vyčerpaný

🇨🇳 排水 (páishuǐ)

🇸🇮 izsušen

🇮🇸 tæmdur

🇰🇿 ағызып жіберілген

🇬🇪 გაშრობილი

🇦🇿 drenaj edilmiş

🇲🇽 drenado

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,047 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.