wear and tear

noun

: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use

especially : normal depreciation

Synonyms

• wear

Examples of wear and tear in a Sentence

my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced

Recent Examples on the Web

Pleasant to the touch and resistant to wear and tear, linen robes also boast high absorbency and thermoregulation properties. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025

Solid wood furniture, rattan, and robust textiles equipped to handle everyday wear and tear. —Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025

It's expected to be more scratch-resistant than the current Ceramic Shield and avoid wear and tear for longer periods. —PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025

Every sensor and circuit must withstand the wear and tear of constant deployment, because lives might depend not on a single success but on predictable excellence day after day. —Divyaditya Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wear and tear

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

wear and tear

noun

: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use