Explanation at your level:
When you get a job, you are hired. If a boss likes you, they say, 'You are hired!' Now you can work and get paid. It is a very happy day for you.
Being hired means you start a new job. After you have an interview, the company tells you that you are hired. You are then an employee. Many people are hired every day in offices and shops.
To be hired is to accept a position at a company. It is the result of a successful job application process. Once you are hired, you have responsibilities and you receive a salary. It is a formal way to say you got the job.
The term hired is used to describe the official recruitment of a candidate. It implies a contractual relationship between the employer and the employee. When a company is growing, they often announce that they have hired new staff to handle the extra workload.
In professional contexts, being hired signifies the successful conclusion of a talent acquisition process. It encompasses the negotiation of terms, the signing of contracts, and the onboarding process. Organizations often analyze their hired workforce to determine productivity levels and organizational culture fit.
The etymological roots of hired reflect an ancient societal need for specialized labor. Historically, being hired was a transactional arrangement, but in modern corporate discourse, it represents the integration of an individual into an organizational ecosystem. The nuances of being hired vary by industry; for instance, being hired as a freelancer involves different legal and tax implications compared to being hired as a permanent staff member. Understanding the weight of this word allows for better navigation of professional life.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Hired means getting a job.
- It is the past tense of hire.
- Used in business and daily life.
- Commonly used in passive voice.
When you hear that someone was hired, it simply means they got the job! It is the moment an employer says, 'We want you to work for us.' This word is used constantly in professional and casual settings.
Being hired is a big milestone. It usually follows a process of applying, interviewing, and finally receiving an offer. Once you are hired, you are officially part of the team and start earning money for your efforts.
Think of it as the 'start line' of your employment journey. Whether you are hired as a full-time engineer or a part-time dog walker, the core meaning remains the same: a formal agreement to trade your skills for payment.
The word hired comes from the Old English word hyrian, which meant to 'take into service for payment.' It has deep Germanic roots, sharing ancestors with words in Dutch and German that also relate to renting or paying for service.
Historically, the word was used for both people and things. You could 'hire' a horse or a carriage just as easily as you could 'hire' a laborer. Over time, as labor laws and professional structures evolved, the use of 'hiring' became much more specific to employment.
It is fascinating to see how the word has stayed consistent for over a thousand years. While the way we search for jobs has changed from village notice boards to digital apps, the act of being hired remains a fundamental part of human society.
You will most often hear hired used in the passive voice, such as 'She was hired last week.' It is a very common term in business and daily conversation.
Common collocations include being hired 'on the spot,' hired 'as a consultant,' or hired 'by a firm.' You might also hear about someone being 'newly hired' or 'recently hired' to describe their status.
The register is generally neutral to formal. In very casual speech, people might just say they 'got the job,' but hired is the standard professional term used in emails, LinkedIn profiles, and news reports.
1. Hired gun: A person brought in to do a specific, often difficult, task quickly. Example: 'The company brought in a hired gun to fix their software bugs.'
2. Hired hand: A traditional term for a farm worker. Example: 'He worked as a hired hand during the harvest.'
3. Get hired: The most basic expression for landing a job. Example: 'I hope to get hired by the end of the month.'
4. Freshly hired: Used to describe someone brand new. Example: 'The freshly hired staff are in orientation.'
5. Hired help: Refers to people employed for domestic tasks. Example: 'They have hired help for the garden.'
Hired is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'to hire.' It follows the standard rule of adding '-ed' to the base form. Note that because 'hire' ends in an 'e', you only add a 'd'.
In terms of pronunciation, it is a single syllable word. The British IPA is /haɪəd/ and the American IPA is /haɪərd/. The 'r' sound is much more pronounced in American English.
It rhymes with words like 'tired,' 'wired,' 'fired,' 'inspired,' and 'desired.' When using it in a sentence, it is usually followed by a preposition like 'by' or 'as' to explain who hired you or what role you are filling.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word 'hireling', which historically had a negative connotation.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'higher' with a soft 'd'.
Sounds like 'higher' with a clear 'r' and 'd'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as two syllables
- Dropping the final 'd' sound
- Confusing with 'heard'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Passive Voice
I was hired.
Past Tense
He hired me.
Infinitive
Hired to work.
Examples by Level
I was hired today.
I / was / hired / today
Passive voice
She is hired.
She / is / hired
Simple state
He was hired.
He / was / hired
Past tense
They hired me.
They / hired / me
Active voice
We hired him.
We / hired / him
Active voice
I got hired.
I / got / hired
Informal passive
She hired a chef.
She / hired / a / chef
Active voice
They hired help.
They / hired / help
Object usage
The company hired ten people.
I was hired as a teacher.
They hired a new manager.
He was hired last month.
She hired a taxi.
We hired a band for the party.
They were hired by the bank.
I hope I get hired soon.
The startup hired several developers to scale the app.
She was hired based on her impressive portfolio.
They hired a consultant to improve efficiency.
Being hired is the first step in your career.
He was hired despite having no prior experience.
The firm hired legal experts for the case.
We hired a local guide for our tour.
She has been hired by a global corporation.
The organization hired a new CEO to lead the restructuring.
He was hired on a temporary contract initially.
They were hired to oversee the entire project lifecycle.
The company has hired extensively in the last quarter.
She was hired for her unique problem-solving skills.
They hired a mediator to resolve the dispute.
Being hired by a top firm is a major achievement.
The department hired a specialist in data analytics.
The agency was hired to spearhead the rebranding initiative.
She was hired as a senior strategist, reporting directly to the board.
They hired a team of researchers to conduct the feasibility study.
The corporation hired outside counsel to mitigate legal risks.
Having been hired during the expansion phase, he felt a strong loyalty.
The firm hired a headhunter to find the perfect candidate.
They were hired to implement a new enterprise resource system.
The board hired a consultant to audit the internal processes.
The municipality hired a renowned architect to design the civic center.
He was hired as a consultant, a role that required immense discretion.
They hired a team of experts to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
The institution hired a curator to oversee the rare manuscript collection.
Having hired the best talent, the company dominated the market.
The firm hired a firm of forensic accountants to investigate the fraud.
She was hired to bridge the cultural gap between the two offices.
They hired a specialist to preserve the ancient artifacts.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"hired gun"
Someone brought in for a specific, often tough, job.
They brought in a hired gun to save the project.
casual"hired help"
People paid to do domestic work.
They have hired help to clean the mansion.
neutral"get hired"
To successfully land a job.
I really want to get hired by that company.
neutral"freshly hired"
Someone who just started.
The freshly hired employees are in the lobby.
neutral"hired hand"
A worker, usually on a farm.
He started as a hired hand on his uncle's farm.
neutralEasily Confused
Sounds similar.
Heard is past of hear; hired is employment.
I heard the news; I was hired.
Looks like tired.
Tired is feeling sleepy; hired is getting a job.
I was tired after being hired.
Looks like fired.
Fired is losing a job.
He was hired then fired.
Looks like wired.
Wired is about electricity.
The house was wired; he was hired.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + was + hired + by + Agent
She was hired by the bank.
Subject + was + hired + as + Role
He was hired as a chef.
Subject + was + hired + to + Verb
They were hired to help.
Subject + got + hired + by + Agent
I got hired by them.
The + newly + hired + Noun + Verb
The newly hired staff arrived.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Must use past participle for passive voice.
Use past tense for completed actions.
Usually refers to a past event.
Always use the -ed form.
Use infinitive after hired.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine the word 'Hired' written on your new office door.
Native Usage
Use 'hired by' when talking about the company.
Cultural Insight
In US TV, 'You're hired!' is a famous catchphrase.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add 'd' to 'hire' for the past.
Say It Right
Keep it one syllable.
Common Mistake
Don't say 'I hire' for a past event.
Did You Know?
It dates back to Old English.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about your dream job.
Writing Tip
Use 'hired' to show career progress.
Speaking Tip
Practice saying 'I was hired' with confidence.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
HIRE + D = I got the job!
Visual Association
A person shaking hands with a boss.
Word Web
Challenge
Tell a friend about the last time you were hired.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To take into service for payment.
Cultural Context
None.
In the US, 'hired' is very common in corporate culture; in the UK, 'employed' is also very frequent.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Job Interviews
- When will I be hired?
- I hope to get hired.
Business News
- The firm hired new staff.
- They hired experts.
Daily Life
- I hired a taxi.
- We hired a cleaner.
Career Growth
- I was hired as a junior.
- I was hired for my skills.
Conversation Starters
"When was the last time you were hired?"
"What is the best way to get hired?"
"Do you think it is easy to get hired today?"
"Have you ever hired someone?"
"What would you like to be hired for?"
Journal Prompts
Write about the day you were hired.
Describe your dream job and how you would be hired.
What skills do you have that make you easy to be hired?
Why is being hired important to a person?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is the past tense and past participle of hire.
Usually, we say 'I was hired' for the past event, or 'I am employed' for the state.
Hired is the act of starting; employed is the state of having a job.
H-I-R-E-D.
It is neutral and widely used.
Recruited implies a search; hired implies the final result.
Yes, like a car or a boat.
Fired or dismissed.
Test Yourself
I was ___ yesterday.
Past participle needed.
What does 'hired' mean?
Hired means getting a job.
Hired is the past tense of hire.
Correct.
Word
Meaning
Common usage.
The manager was hired as...
Score: /5
Summary
Being hired is the exciting first step in your professional journey!
- Hired means getting a job.
- It is the past tense of hire.
- Used in business and daily life.
- Commonly used in passive voice.
Memory Palace
Imagine the word 'Hired' written on your new office door.
Native Usage
Use 'hired by' when talking about the company.
Cultural Insight
In US TV, 'You're hired!' is a famous catchphrase.
Grammar Shortcut
Always add 'd' to 'hire' for the past.
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