haggard

Imagine a traveler who has been on the road for days without rest, with sunken eyes and a tired, worn face. That is the essence of haggard. It describes someone who shows clear signs of exhaustion, worry, illness, or long hardship. A haggard face does not necessarily look old; it looks drained, thin, and troubled. We use the word mostly for people, especially their face or expression. Think of Sherlock Holmes after days spent tracking a criminal without sleep: he would likely look quite haggard.

The word haggard paints a vivid picture of deep weariness showing on the face. It goes beyond simply being "tired"; it suggests exhaustion or suffering that has become visible in someone's features, often with dark circles under the eyes, a pale look, or a thin, drawn expression. The word comes from falconry. Originally, a haggard was a hawk caught in the wild as an adult rather than raised by humans. From that older sense of something wild and untrained, the word later developed its modern meaning for a person who looks worn and strained.

You will most often encounter haggard when describing people under intense pressure. A parent who has not slept in days while caring for a sick child might look haggard. A patient after a long illness, or a survivor of a terrible ordeal, may also be described this way. The word often suggests more than physical tiredness; it can also point to fear, stress, grief, or emotional strain.

Although the word is mainly used for people, writers sometimes extend it to an expression, a crowd, or even a scene in a poetic way if they want to stress a worn, troubled look. The key idea is visible evidence of struggle. It is a strong word that often invites empathy, because it hints at a hard story behind the appearance. Think of a character in a serious novel who has been pushed to the edge by sleeplessness, worry, and loss: that person may be described as haggard.