Tried working when weary (5)
I believe the answer is:
tired
'weary' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'tried working' is the wordplay.
'working' is an anagram indicator.
'tried' with letters rearranged gives 'TIRED'.
'when' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tired that I've seen before include "Ready to drop" , "Physically or mentally weary" , "Are American cars so" , "Whacked" , "Depleted of energy" .)