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

The cost savings come from the fact that electric motors have no pistons, spark plugs, or the wear and tear that comes with burning fuel in a combustion engine. — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

Not to mention, taking care of your home not only adds value to your property but also protects it against environmental wear and tear. — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026

Most of the skeletons found in Stirling’s chapel had the sorts of wounds archaeologists expected to find on siege victims, like sword cuts, blunt trauma, and the wear and tear of hand-to-hand combat. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026

The risk comes from possible damage related to product design, not regular wear and tear. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026

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