Jaded

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈd͡ʒeɪdɪd/

Definitions

1. Feeling physically worn out or exhausted after extended effort or activity ; having lost interest or excitement due to overexposure or repetition
2. Experiencing fatigue or depletion of energy from prolonged or excessive work ; showing a lack of enthusiasm or motivation caused by too much familiarity or indulgence
3. Being mentally or physically drained as a result of continuous exertion or strain ; showing signs of disinterest and apathy after too much exposure to something once pleasurable

Etymology: The original sense of "jade" had nothing to do with tiredness in people. It meant a worn-out horse, a poor-quality nag that had been overworked until it was little more than skin and bone. The word's roots may lie in Old Norse "jalda," meaning "mare," though that connection is uncertain. From there the insult moved onto people. By 1560, "jade" was being used as a term of abuse for a woman, implying she was worthless or disreputable in the way a broken-down horse was. Over time the word came to describe anyone or anything that had been used up, and the sense of exhaustion from endless work or excess was built on that image of a horse run into the ground. The adjective "jaded" follows the same path. It describes someone whose energy and enthusiasm have been drained by overwork or too much of the same thing, the mind worn down the way the old jade's body was.

Synonyms: worn, weary, fatigued, sated, dulled

Antonyms: fresh, enthusiastic, excited, invigorated, energetic