wear

1 of 2

verb

ˈwer 

wore ˈwȯr  ; worn ˈwȯrn  ; 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 lightly

—Brad 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 it

—Colin MacInnes

9

: take on sense 3a

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

: fashion, vogue

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: to become trite, unconvincing, or out-of-date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

Synonyms

Verb

• break
• burn out
• bust
• do in
• do up
• drain
• exhaust
• fag
• fatigue
• frazzle
• harass
• kill
• knock out
• outwear
• tire
• tucker (out)
• wash out
• wear out
• weary

Noun

• wear and tear

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

Verb

The main event will be eight, two-minute rounds instead of 10 or 12 three-minute rounds and both fighters will wear 14-ounce gloves rather than 10-ounce gloves. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

The uniforms will be worn for six regular-season home games in total. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024

Noun

Testers agree that this headband washes well and shows minimal wear after a winter of use. —Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024

Each piece of Zenni eyewear is designed to be lightweight and ergonomic, helping to ensure a perfect fit for all-day wear. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing wear

• anti-wear
• don/wear sackcloth and ashes
• if the cap fits, wear it
• if the shoe fits, wear it
• none the worse for wear
• ready-to-wear
• (the) worse for wear
• wash-and-wear
• wear and tear
• wear a silly grin/smile on one's face
• wear away
• wear down
• wear many hats
• wear off
• wear one's heart on one's sleeve
• wear out
• wear out one's welcome
• wear through
• wear well

Kids Definition

wear

1 of 2 verb

ˈwa(ə)r 

ˈwe(ə)r

wore ˈwō(ə)r 

ˈwȯ(ə)r

; worn ˈwō(ə)rn 

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

ˈwir 

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