Definition of wear
wore
play \ˈwȯr\;worn
play \ˈwȯrn\;wearing
transitive verb
1 : to bear or have on the person wore a coat
2a : to use habitually for clothing, adornment, or assistance wears a size 10 wear glassesb : to carry on the person wear a sword
3a : to hold the rank or dignity or position signified by (an ornament) wear the royal crownb : exhibit, present wore a happy smile commend the book for wearing its research so lightly — Brad Leithauserc : to show or fly (a flag or colors) on a ship
4a : to cause to deteriorate by useb : 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
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
wearer
nounwear on
wear the trousers
orwear the pants
wear thin
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Examples of wear in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of wear from the Web
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Ahead, find 9 stellar ways to wear your favorite astronomical prints.
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Try a shirt with a feathery trim that can be worn with high-waisted black slacks or jeans.
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The shirts that the team are wearing refer to Nelson Mandela's prison number.(AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
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Most Saudi women also wear a headscarf and veil that covers the face.
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The woman wears a skirt that stops above her knees and a top that shows her midriff; her head is also uncovered.
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Police were told the shooter was wearing a white shirt, dark jeans and a black backpack.
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Her most recent hat trick: designing the pink topper Lady Gaga wore on the cover of her latest album.
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All three stations in time exist at once, their traditional order shattered by trauma, and in every station Arsham is wearing New Yorks.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of wear
Middle English weren, from Old English werian; akin to Old Norse verja to clothe, invest, spend, Latin vestis clothing, garment, Greek hennynai to clothe
wear
Definition of wear
1 : the act of wearing : the state of being worn : use clothes for everyday wear
2a : clothing or an article of clothing usually of a particular kind; especially : clothing worn for a special occasion or popular during a specific periodb : fashion, vogue
3 : wearing quality : durability under use
4 : the result of wearing or use : diminution or impairment due to use wear-resistant surface
Examples of wear in a Sentence
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 of wear from the Web
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The homeware powerhouse turned to one of fashion's favorite bridal wear designers, Monique Lhuillier, for a home collection launching in October of 2017.
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Fitness-Loving Dad Dads still do wear wrist watches, and today’s timepieces do so much more than just tell time.
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The wear patterns on the whale’s teeth seem to support this.
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That’s just normal wear and tear on a 20-year-old home like mine.
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Finchem, an Oro Valley Republican who favors Western wear, was not impressed.
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In search of aloha wear appropriate for, say, your next backyard tiki party in Portland? (
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Now the athletic-wear maker’s sales are only expected to grow 9%, yet its multiple still stands at 22 times.
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By Anthony Hahn, Daily Camera Active wear retailer Pearl Izumi, based in Louisville, has hired Chris Sword as president, company officials announced last week.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of wear
15th century
Other Clothing Terms
Wear
playDefinition of Wear
river 67 miles (108 kilometers) long in northern England flowing into the North Sea at Sunderland
WEAR Defined for English Language Learners
wear
playDefinition of wear for English Language Learners
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: to use or have (something) as clothing : to have (a shirt, pants, etc.) over part of your body
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: to use or have (something) on your body
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: to grow or arrange (your hair) in a particular way
wear
Definition of wear for English Language Learners
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: the act of using something as clothing : the act of wearing something
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: the act of using something
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: clothing that is designed for a specified kind of person, occasion, or use
WEAR Defined for Kids
Definition of wear for Students
wore
\ˈwȯr\;worn
\ˈwȯrn\;wearing
1 : to use as an article of clothing or decoration He's wearing boots. She wears a ribbon in her hair.
2 : to carry or use on the body I am wearing perfume.
3 : 1show 1 He always wears a smile.
4 : to damage, waste, or produce by continued use … I had gone … by a different way so as not to wear a trail. — Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins
5 : to make tired
6 : to last through long use The cloth wears well.
7 : to lessen or end with the passing of time The day wore on.
wearer
nounwear out
1 : to make useless by long or hard use
Definition of wear for Students
1 : the act of wearing : the state of being worn
2 : clothing for a particular group or for a particular occasion children's wear rain wear
3 : damage caused by use
Learn More about wear
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See words that rhyme with wear Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wear Spanish Central: Translation of wear Nglish: Translation of wear for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wear for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wear
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