Tucker is a verb meaning to tire someone out completely, especially through physical effort or activity. When you're tuckered out, you're so exhausted that you can barely keep moving.

The word often describes what happens after intense physical play or work. After running around all afternoon playing tag, riding bikes, and climbing trees, kids might come home completely tuckered out. A long day of swimming can tucker you out too, leaving you ready to collapse on the couch. Parents sometimes hope an energetic afternoon at the playground will tucker their children out before bedtime.

You'll usually hear this word in its past tense form: tuckered out. It captures that particular kind of pleasant, healthy tiredness that comes from using your body hard, rather than the drained feeling you get from being sick or worried. When a farmer finishes a long day of harvesting, or when a dog spends hours chasing squirrels and playing fetch, they're genuinely tuckered out.

The word has a warm, informal feel to it. You might write “exhausted” in a formal essay, but you'd tell your friend you're “tuckered out” after a great day of hiking.