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: to become trite, unconvincing, or out-of-date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

Example Sentences

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.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Summery smell but anytime wear. —Nerisha Penrose, elle.com, 28 Apr. 2023

For skiing, ask yourself ‘What would Angelo wear?’ …. —Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2023

With bits inherited from the McLaren Senna, the kit includes 15.4-inch carbon-ceramic rotors with monobloc (a.k.a. one-piece) front calipers intended to significantly resist fade and wear. —Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 26 Apr. 2023

One picture—a mirror selfie—shows Jenner wearing a black knit minidress that featured open slits, loose strands, large cutouts, and flower-like embellishments. —Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Apr. 2023

The video circulating online appears to show a man in green fatigues wearing a yellow armband, typically donned by Ukrainian fighters. —Samya Kullab And Hanna Arhiriova, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Apr. 2023

The show went on, with the performers wearing modern clothing. —Kturnqui, oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2023

Taiwanese are rushing to buy patches being worn by their air force pilots that depict a Formosan black bear punching Winnie the Pooh — representing Chinese President Xi Jinping — as a defiant symbol of the island’s resistance to Chinese war games. —Reuters, NBC News, 12 Apr. 2023

The kicks in question were worn by Jordan during his momentous final season with the Chicago Bulls (a.k.a. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2023

Noun

At the end of the day, the one thing that held us back from giving this bra top marks was the band, which seems to run small (and dug into our backs after a few hours of wear). —Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 May 2023

Seymour tested both types of discs and found each to be super comfortable for all-day wear, though did notice that the reusable disc became stained after a few uses. —goodhousekeeping.com, 16 May 2023

The sunglasses do an excellent job of reducing glare from water and snow, and the lightweight acetate frames are comfortable for all-day wear without compromising comfort or style. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2023

Rao said her mom and her upbringing inspired her to make products like a blue silk sari cocktail dress and a lime green silk tracksuit, colors inspired by women’s Indian formal wear. —Brahmjot Kaur, NBC News, 8 May 2023

Their men’s wear label, SMR Days, launched with shirting, shorts and trousers in beach-ready cotton and linen. —Kyle Beechey Becky Malinsky Ella Riley-adams Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Caitie Kelly, New York Times, 4 May 2023

On Saturday, Old Dominion, who had to cancel three shows last month after singer Matthew Ramsey was injured in an ATV accident, returned to the stage seemingly no worse for wear — even if the frontman did have a pair of crutches beside him. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2023

Fleece Hiking Jacket Now 15% Off $169 at Lululemon Credit: Lululemon In terms of available workout wear in the section, there's a plethora to choose from. —Ellen Mcalpine, Men's Health, 25 Apr. 2023

The fresh material was first made into suits by New Orleans designer Joseph Haspel in 1909, and since, the seersucker suit has taken over the world of warm weather formal wear by storm. —Maverick Li, menshealth.com, 21 Apr. 2023

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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

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

See More

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

See More

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 signs of wear

Geographical Definition

Wear

geographical name

ˈwir 

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