wear
Formswears, wearing, wore, worn
Formswears, wearing, wore, worn
- 1To have clothes, jewelry or other things on your body, or to have your hair in a certain style.
I wear my school uniform every day except Friday.
He was wearing a heavy coat and gloves in the snow.
UsageFirst you put on a coat; then you wear it.
- 2To slowly damage or use up something by rubbing or use, make a hole in it, or become damaged like this.
Like a bar of soap that gets smaller every time you use it.
These shoes wear quickly if you run in them every day.
The knees of his jeans have worn thin.
UsageSay jeans wear thin or shoes wear out.
Similarerode, deteriorate, fray, thin
Note
- 3Damage that slowly happens to something because people use it a lot.
Like the way old shoes get soft and thin after many years of walking.
The stairs show a lot of wear after fifty years of footsteps.
Check your tires for wear before a long trip.
UsageSay wear and tear.
Similardeterioration, erosion, damage
Note
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- 8The use something gets from being worn or used often.
These shoes are made for everyday wear.
Her ring has been in constant wear since her wedding day.
UsageSay for everyday wear.
Similaruse
Note
Less common meanings
- 9To pass very slowly, in a way that feels long and boring.
Like the last hour of a long car ride, when every minute feels slow.
The hot afternoon wore on, and the children grew restless.
Winter evenings wear on slowly when the power is out.
Similardrag
Note
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- 12To turn a sailing boat the other way by letting the wind pass behind it.
- 13To guard or protect something and keep danger or intruders away from it.
- 14To lead people or animals carefully to a safe place.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English werian, meaning to clothe or put on, from an ancient root meaning to dress or put on clothes.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Wear derives from Old English werian, meaning to clothe or put on. en.wiktionary.org
- Its ancient root means to dress or put on clothes. en.wiktionary.org