Rid I Rɪd Free Somebody/Something Annoying Verb Wanted

• she wanted to be rid of her parents and their authority.
• i was glad to be rid of the car when i finally sold it.
• he was a nuisance and we're all well rid of him (= we'll be much better without him).
• try and get rid of your visitors before i get there.

rid

Verb Forms

1. to be free of somebody/something that has been annoying you or that you do not want
• She wanted to be rid of her parents and their authority.
• I was glad to be rid of the car when I finally sold it.
• He was a nuisance and we're all well rid of him (= we'll be much better without him).
2. to make yourself free of somebody/something that is annoying you or that you do not want; to throw something away
• Try and get rid of your visitors before I get there.
• The problem is getting rid of nuclear waste.
• I can't get rid of this headache.
• We got rid of all the old furniture.
3. to want to be free of somebody/something that has been annoying you or that you do not want
• Are you trying to say you want rid of me?

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old Norse rythja. The original sense ‘to clear’ described clearing land of trees and undergrowth; this gave rise to ‘free from rubbish or encumbrances’, later becoming generalized.