What does exhaustion mean?
Word: Exhaustion
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Exhaustion means the state of being so tired that you have no energy left; it can also mean using something up completely.
Synonyms: tiredness, fatigue
Antonyms: energy, freshness
How do you spell exhaustion?
Syllables: ex - haus - tion
Tricky part: The h after ex is silent, so it is easily left out: exaustion is the most common slip.
Watch out for: exaustion, exhaustian, exhausion
Memory tip: When you are worn out you breathe out hard, as in exhale: exhaustion keeps that same h straight after ex.
Exhaustion in a sentence
Example 1: After running the full 5 km race, Neha sat on the grass in exhaustion.
Example 2: The farmers worked through the harvest week without rest and ended it in complete exhaustion.
Example 3: Using the phone all night can lead to exhaustion the next day at school.
Fun Fact
Doctors use the term heat exhaustion for the weakness, heavy sweating and dizziness that can follow too long in hot sun; water and rest in the shade help.
Practise the CREST Way
Sound Check
In which word is 'tion' pronounced differently?
a) sensation
b) ignition
c) tradition
d) exhaustion
Show answer
d) exhaustion. After an s, tion is said chun, as in question; in ignition, sensation and tradition it is said shun.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) caution
b) suggestion
c) combustion
d) exhostion
Show answer
d) exhostion. The vowel sound after the h is spelt au, as in caution.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with the word closest in meaning:
1. exhaustion 2. courage 3. sorrow a. sadness b. weariness c. bravery
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
b) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
c) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
d) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
Show answer
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. Exhaustion is weariness, courage is bravery and sorrow is sadness.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the sentence?
After the long trek up the hill, we sat down in exhaustion and ate our sandwiches in silence.
a) 2
b) 3
c) 0
d) 1
Show answer
c) 0. Sandwiches and silence are both right, and so is every other word, so nothing needs fixing.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What could lead to exhaustion on a summer day?
a) eating a healthy breakfast
b) sleeping well for eight hours
c) cycling uphill for three hours
d) sitting quietly with a book
Show answer
c) cycling uphill for three hours
2. Someone suffering from exhaustion is likely to be ____.
a) struggling to keep their eyes open
b) eager to start the next game
c) humming a happy little tune
d) laughing loudly at a funny film
Show answer
a) struggling to keep their eyes open
