What does gruelled mean?
Gruelled is a verb that means to make someone extremely tired or exhausted, often through prolonged mental or physical effort. It is often used in informal contexts to describe someone who is extremely tired or exhausted. The word can also be used to describe a situation or activity that is causing someone to feel this way. Gruelled is a useful word to describe a state of being that is often associated with burnout or exhaustion. It is a word that is commonly used in everyday language, particularly in British English. However, it is not as widely used in American English, where other words such as 'drained' or 'spent' may be used instead. Despite this, gruelled is a useful word to have in one's vocabulary, particularly for describing situations where someone is feeling extremely tired or exhausted.
verbTo make someone extremely tired or exhausted, often through prolonged mental or physical effort.
- To make someone extremely tired or exhausted, often through prolonged mental or physical effort.
"The gruelled team members were struggling to stay awake during the long meeting."
"The gruelled team members were struggling to stay awake during the long meeting."
"After a week of non-stop work, she was gruelled and needed a break."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gruelled
The word 'gruelled' is derived from the noun 'gruel', which refers to a thin soup or porridge. The verb 'gruelled' is thought to have originated in the 17th century, when it was used to describe someone who was exhausted or worn out, much like a gruel that has been overcooked and is now unappetizing.
How gruelled is actually used
Gruelled is often used in informal contexts to describe someone who is extremely tired or exhausted. It can also be used to describe a situation or activity that is causing someone to feel this way.