wear away

phrasal verb

wore away; worn away; wearing away; wears away

: to gradually disappear or to cause (something) to gradually disappear or become thinner, smaller, etc., because of use

The paint on the sign had worn away.

Even a trickle of water will eventually wear rock away.

—often used as (be) worn away

The table's finish was worn away.

Examples of wear away in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Outdoor brick is up for plenty of environmental elements—water among them—but indoor brick is another story, once again, thanks to its protective sealant that can be worn away or damaged with the introduction of water. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025

Enamel erosion: Over time, acids in foods and drinks can break down and wear away tooth enamel, causing symptoms. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025

One possibility is that friction at the roller-socket interface caused the surrounding wood to wear away, leading to a slight narrowing of the roller at the point of contact. —Kai James, The Conversation, 11 June 2025

This is more accurately water-resistant and will wear away over the years. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025

Rhymes for wear away

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway