Home Dictionary Wwear

wear

To have on one's body as clothing, decoration, or protection. / To damage or erode something through continuous use or friction. / To become damaged, thinner, or weaker over time due to use. / Clothing or attire in general; the act of wearing something.

Transitive VerbIntransitive VerbNoun

past: worepp: worning: wearing

This word captures the duality of attachment and decay. In the context of clothing, it describes the act of presenting oneself to the world, blending function with identity and social signaling.

In the context of friction, it evokes a slow, inevitable erosion. It suggests a gradual loss of integrity where the material is stripped away by the very act of being used, transforming strength into fragility.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Chloe is staring at her closet in a panic while Ryan is mid-game.

Chloe Smith

I have zero clothes for this gala. What should I even wear?

I have zero clothes for this gala. What should I even wear?

Chloe Smith

Ryan

Ryan

bet. just throw on that black thing.

bet. just throw on that black thing.

Meanings

Transitive Verb

[~ clothing]

To have on one's body as clothing, decoration, or protection.

She decided to wear her favorite blue dress to the party.

Transitive Verb

[~ surface]

To damage or erode something through continuous use or friction.

The constant scrubbing will wear the paint off the wall.

Intransitive Verb

[~ material]

To become damaged, thinner, or weaker over time due to use.

The soles of my old boots have started to wear.

Noun

Clothing or attire in general; the act of wearing something.

This shop specializes in formal evening wear.

Examples

She decided to wear her favorite blue dress to the party.

The constant scrubbing will wear the paint off the wall.

The soles of my old boots have started to wear.

This shop specializes in formal evening wear.

Phrasal Verbs

wear out

to use something until it is no longer functional or usable

I wore out my favorite running shoes after training for the marathon.

wear off

to gradually disappear or lose effectiveness

The effects of the painkiller began to wear off after a few hours.

wear down

to erode or weaken something through persistent pressure or friction

The waves slowly wore down the cliff face over centuries.

wear away

to be gradually removed by friction or erosion

The inscriptions on the old tombstone had worn away over time.

wear in

to use a new item of clothing or footwear until it becomes comfortable

I need to wear in these new leather boots before the hiking trip.

Last Updated: May 2026•Report an Error