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 of wear and tear

• 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

Washing for too long and spinning at the highest final spin rate causes wear and tear on clothes. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025

Uneven washers can be loud, vibrate, and accelerate wear and tear. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025

And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel. —New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025

The shell is built to withstand bumps and dings, while the textured finish helps hide wear and tear from travel. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 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