wear

1 of 2

verb

wore ˈwȯr How to pronounce wear (audio) ; worn ˈwȯrn How to pronounce wear (audio) ; wearing

transitive verb

1
: to bear or have on the person
wore a coat
2
a
: to use habitually for clothing, adornment, or assistance
wears a size 10
wear glasses
b
: to carry on the person
wear a sword
3
a
: to hold the rank or dignity or position signified by (an ornament)
wear the royal crown
b
: exhibit, present
wore a happy smile
commend the book for wearing its research so lightlyBrad Leithauser
c
: to show or fly (a flag or colors) on a ship
4
a
: to cause to deteriorate by use
b
: to impair or diminish by use or attrition : consume or waste gradually
letters on the stone worn away by weathering
5
: to produce gradually by friction or attrition
wear a hole in the rug
6
: to exhaust or lessen the strength of : weary, fatigue
7
: to cause (a ship) to go about with the stern presented to the wind
8
British : to accept or tolerate without complaint : put up with
usually used in negative constructions
your mates wouldn't wear itColin MacInnes
9

intransitive verb

1
a
: to endure use : last under use or the passage of time
material that will wear for years
b
: to retain quality or vitality
the classics wear well
2
a
: to diminish or decay through use
the heels of his shoes began to wear
b
: to diminish or fail with the passage of time
the effect of the drug wore off
the day wore on
c
: to grow or become by attrition or use
the blade wore dull
3
of a ship : to change to an opposite tack by turning the stern to the wind compare tack
wearer noun

wear

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act of wearing : the state of being worn : use
clothes for everyday wear
2
a
: clothing or an article of clothing usually of a particular kind
especially : clothing worn for a special occasion or popular during a specific period
b
3
: wearing quality : durability under use
4
: the result of wearing or use : diminution or impairment due to use
wear-resistant surface
Phrases
wear on
: irritate, fray
the constant beeping wore on my nerves
wear the trousers or wear the pants
: to have the controlling authority in a household
wear thin
1
: to become weak or ready to give way
my patience was wearing thin
2
: to become trite, unconvincing, or out-of-date
an argument that quickly wore thin

Examples of wear in a Sentence

Verb He was wearing blue jeans. She wore a red blouse to work. White coats are often worn by doctors. He doesn't wear a watch. a badge worn by police officers Were you wearing a seat belt? She wears her hair in a ponytail. I used to wear my hair long. The teacher was wearing a frown. He wore a hole in his pants. Noun shoes that are perfect for everyday wear The deck is built to withstand years of wear. I got a lot of wear out of these boots. a new line of evening wear The carpet is showing signs of wear. You should inspect the tires for wear.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
The examples don’t end there, and over the years have included cigars on the Chanel resort 2017 runway in Havana, Cuba; Kate Moss closing Louis Vuitton’s fall 2011 show holding a cigarette while wearing black gloves, and Lady Gaga walking in the Mugler fall 2011 show sucking on a cigarette. Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024 The second hashtag also referenced the former President calling out Barack Obama for wearing a tan suit in 2014 and Harris doing the same at the Democratic National Convention in August. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
While some cause irritation with extended wear, these stand out for their comfort. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Silky and quiet, the fabric also proved durable enough to resist snags or rips over four months of steady wear while ski mountaineering. Kelly Bastone, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wear 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English weren, from Old English werian; akin to Old Norse verja to clothe, invest, spend, Latin vestis clothing, garment, Greek hennynai to clothe

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wear

Cite this Entry

“Wear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wear

1 of 2 verb
ˈwa(ə)r How to pronounce wear (audio)
ˈwe(ə)r
wore ˈwō(ə)r How to pronounce wear (audio)
ˈwȯ(ə)r
; worn ˈwō(ə)rn How to pronounce wear (audio)
ˈwȯ(ə)rn
; wearing
1
a
: to use as an article of clothing, adornment, or assistance
wears blue jeans all the time
wears glasses
b
: to carry on the person
wear a watch
2
: to have or show an appearance of
wore a happy smile
3
a
: to damage, destroy, or make less by use or by scraping or rubbing
wore the shoes to pieces
b
: to produce gradually by wearing
wear a hole in the rug
c
: to tire or weaken : fatigue
soldiers worn by the strain of war
4
: to stand up under use
a silk that wears well
5
a
: to lessen or end with the passage of time
the effect of the medicine wore off
the day wore on
b
: to reach a certain condition gradually
the blade wore dull
wearer noun

wear

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act of wearing : use
b
: the state of being worn
2
: clothing or an article of clothing usually of a particular kind or for a special occasion or use
children's wear
3
: wearing quality : durability under use
4
: the result of wearing or use
a carpet showing wear

Geographical Definition

Wear

geographical name

river 67 miles (108 kilometers) long in northern England flowing into the North Sea at Sunderland

More from Merriam-Webster on wear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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