What does retirer mean?
Retirer is a noun for a person who has left paid work, a profession, or active service. It is especially associated with someone who has formally retired and is now drawing a pension, although it can also describe an early retiree who left before the usual retirement age. The word is used broadly in British and American English but has a somewhat administrative or institutional tone. Everyday speakers often use “retiree” for the person concerned, while “pensioner” may be preferred for someone receiving a state or occupational pension. Retirer can also refer to a service member who has left active duty. Its usefulness lies in naming the actor associated with retirement: just as “employer” identifies one who employs, “retirer” identifies one who has retired from a role or organization.
nounA person who has retired from employment, a profession, or active service, especially someone who now receives a pension.
- A person who has ended a working career or period of service, especially and commonly someone receiving a pension.
"Many retirers return to the university part-time as mentors."
"After thirty years as a police officer, he became a community adviser to other retirers."
"The pension scheme provides an annual statement to each retirer."
The standard plural adds -s to the noun.
"The organization offers financial planning services to retirers."
Turn the action “retire” into a person with one suffix: the person who retires is a retirer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of retirer
Retirer was formed in English by adding the agent suffix -er to retire. Retire comes through French retirer, from Latin retrahere, meaning “draw back” and consisting of re- (“back”) and trahere (“draw” or “pull”). Related English forms include retiree and retirement, while retraction and traction reflect the same Latin root.
How retirer is actually used
The noun is formal and somewhat institutional. In ordinary conversation, speakers may prefer “retiree,” while “pensioner” is also common, especially in British English for someone receiving a state or occupational pension.
Easily confused with retirer
A retirer is the person who performs the act of retiring, while a retiree is a person who has already retired.