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

For instance, in the future, there could be a prosthetic limb that feels and reacts to pressure without a battery pack, or a sensor inside a jet engine that tracks wear and tear using nothing but the engine’s vibration. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Apr. 2026

Like hair, nails can become brittle and damaged from overexposure, physical manipulation, and your average wear and tear. —Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026

This option has a clean, versatile design that complements many styles, and the durable polypropylene construction resists fading, stains, and daily wear and tear. —Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026

Regardless of wear and tear, there are a handful of my most reliable travel clothes, shoes, and bags that always make the team. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 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