wear

wear1 [ wer ] (past tense wore [ wɔr ] ; past participle worn [ wɔrn ] ) verb ***

1. ) transitive to have something on your body as clothing, decoration, or protection:

He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

She wasn't wearing any makeup.

I don't have anything to wear to my interview.

a ) to use a particular type of clothing or decoration on your body:

He wears glasses now.

It was fashionable for men to wear their hair long.

b ) to have a particular appearance or expression:

They all wore puzzled frowns.

2. ) intransitive if something wears, or wears thin, it gets thinner or weaker because it has been used a lot:

His shoes were wearing at the heel.

The carpet has worn very thin in places.

a ) transitive wear something in something if you wear a hole or mark in something, you form a hole or mark in it by using it or rubbing it a lot:

You've worn a hole in your jeans.

b ) intransitive if something such as a feeling or explanation wears thin, it becomes gradually weaker or harder to accept:

After 50 pages, the reader's patience starts to wear thin.

c ) wear well if something wears well, it stays in good condition even after a lot of use

d ) wear well if a person wears well, they look attractive and healthy even though they are not young:

He was at least 50, but he'd worn well.

3. ) transitive usually in negatives or questions BRITISH INFORMAL to be willing to accept something that someone says or does:

We tried that excuse but they wouldn't wear it.

wear the pants INFORMAL

to be the person in a relationship who has the most control and makes most of the decisions

,wear a`way phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to disappear or make something disappear, because it has been used or rubbed a lot:

The inscription on the ring had almost worn away.

The grass has been worn away by cars.

2. ) intransitive if a feeling wears away, it gradually disappears

,wear `down phrasal verb transitive often passive

1. ) to make someone gradually lose their energy or confidence:

They were worn down by the stress of caring for five children.

Slowly he wore his opponent down.

2. ) to make something gradually disappear or become thinner by using or rubbing it:

The old stone steps had been worn down by years of use.

,wear `off phrasal verb intransitive

1. ) if something such as a pain or emotion wears off, you gradually stop feeling it:

The numbness in his shoulder was starting to wear off.

2. ) if a feeling wears off, it gradually disappears:

I got bored with the job once the novelty wore off.

,wear `on phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive if time wears on, it passes:

My headache grew worse as the evening wore on.

2. ) transitive wear on someone if something wears on you, it is annoying, and makes you tired:

Your constant complaining is really wearing on me.

,wear `out phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to make someone feel very tired:

She was worn out from taking care of her elderly mother.

wear yourself out: You need a vacation or you'll wear yourself out.

2. ) intransitive or transitive to use something a lot so that it no longer works, or can no longer be used:

The children have all worn out their shoes.

The rear bearing had worn out.

3. ) transitive to make a hole or mark in something by using or rubbing it a lot:

He'd long since worn out the knees in his old jeans.

wear

wear 2 [ wer ] noun uncount *

1. ) the continuous use that something has over a period of time:

Good suits stand a lot more wear.

a ) changes or damage that affect something when it has been used a lot:

There was heavy wear on all four wheels.

2. ) clothes that are appropriate for a particular activity or group of people:

evening/sports/children's wear: I didn't bring any evening wear.

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