What does jaded mean?
Jaded describes a person who feels tired, bored, or disillusioned after prolonged exposure to an activity, experience, or way of life. The word often suggests more than ordinary physical tiredness: someone jaded by constant travel, excessive work, repeated entertainment, or superficial excitement has become weary of the experience and less able to respond with enthusiasm. It can also describe a person who has become cynical about something once valued, as when someone is jaded of celebrity culture or jaded by repeated media attention. Jaded is used in both British and American English and is more common in formal or literary contexts than in casual conversation. A related expression, “jaded eyes,” suggests tiredness and lack of sparkle, while phrases such as “jaded by” and “jaded of” identify the source of the weariness. The word is useful when describing a particular kind of emotional fatigue caused by too much of something, not simply a lack of rest or sleep.
adjectiveTired, bored, or disillusioned as a result of having experienced too much of something. It can also describe a person who feels worn down by excessive activity or stimulation.
- Tired, bored, or disillusioned as a result of excessive experience, effort, or stimulation.
- So tired or worn out that further activity feels unwelcome or pointless.
"After years of endless meetings, she felt jaded and no longer had the energy to suggest any new ideas."
"The long journey left the passengers tired and jaded."
"Years of working in the same environment had made him cynical and jaded."
Jaded once meant so saturated with water that it could absorb no more—an origin that perfectly captures the modern idea of having reached emotional capacity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jaded come from?
The word developed from the older adjective “jaded,” originally meaning dulled or satiated, especially with water. It is associated with “jade,” through French usage in which “jadé” described a jade-like stone or a colour; the connection reflects an older idea of saturation or being filled. Over time, the literal and colour-related meanings gave way to the figurative sense of being worn out by excess. The modern sense of mental or emotional weariness is now the word’s dominant use.
Related word forms
How jaded is actually used
Jaded is usually somewhat formal and carries a sense of weariness or disillusionment, often with the suggestion that something has become repetitive or disappointing. It is commonly used with the prepositions “of” and “by,” as in “jaded of fame” and “jaded by excess.”