wear

A1
Pronunciation
/wɛə/
/wɛə(ɹ)/
Noun
5 definition(s)
1 Definition

(in combination) clothing

Example Sentences
  • footwear; outdoor wear; maternity wear
2 Definition

Damage to the appearance and/or strength of an item caused by use over time

3 Definition

Fashion

4 Definition

An adjustable dam placed across a river to regulate the flow of water downstream.

5 Definition

A fence placed across a river to catch fish.

Verb
15 definition(s)
1 Definition

To carry or have equipped on or about one's body, as an item of clothing, equipment, decoration, etc.

Example Sentences
  • He's wearing some nice pants today.  She wore her medals with pride.  Please wear your seatbelt.  Can you wear makeup and sunscreen at the same time?  He was wearing his lunch after tripping and falling into the buffet.
2 Definition

To have or carry on one's person habitually, consistently; or, to maintain in a particular fashion or manner.

Example Sentences
  • He wears eyeglasses.  She wears her hair in braids.
3 Definition

To bear or display in one's aspect or appearance.

Example Sentences
  • She wore a smile all day.  He walked out of the courtroom wearing an air of satisfaction.
4 Definition

(with "it") To overcome one's reluctance and endure a (previously specified) situation.

Example Sentences
  • I know you don't like working with him, but you'll just have to wear it.
5 Definition

To eat away at, erode, diminish, or consume gradually; to cause a gradual deterioration in; to produce (some change) through attrition, exposure, or constant use.

Example Sentences
  • You're going to wear a hole in the bottom of those shoes.  The water has slowly worn a channel into these rocks.  Long illness had worn the bloom from her cheeks.  Exile had worn the man to a shadow.
6 Definition

To undergo gradual deterioration; become impaired; be reduced or consumed gradually due to any continued process, activity, or use.

Example Sentences
  • The tiles were wearing thin due to years of children's feet.
7 Definition

To exhaust, fatigue, expend, or weary.

Example Sentences
  • His neverending criticism has finally worn my patience.  Toil and care soon wear the spirit.  Our physical advantage allowed us to wear the other team out and win.
8 Definition

To last or remain durable under hard use or over time; to retain usefulness, value, or desirable qualities under any continued strain or long period of time; sometimes said of a person, regarding the quality of being easy or difficult to tolerate.

Example Sentences
  • Don't worry, this fabric will wear. These pants will last you for years.  This color wears so well. I must have washed this sweater a thousand times.  I have to say, our friendship has worn pretty well.  It's hard to get to know him, but he wears well.
9 Definition

(in the phrase "wearing on (someone)") To cause annoyance, irritation, fatigue, or weariness near the point of an exhaustion of patience.

Example Sentences
  • Her high pitched voice is really wearing on me lately.
10 Definition

(of time) To pass slowly, gradually or tediously.

Example Sentences
  • wear on, wear away.  As the years wore on, we seemed to have less and less in common.
11 Definition

To bring (a sailing vessel) onto the other tack by bringing the wind around the stern (as opposed to tacking when the wind is brought around the bow); to come round on another tack by turning away from the wind. Also written "ware". Past: weared, or wore/worn.

Synonyms
gybe
12 Definition

To guard; watch; keep watch, especially from entry or invasion.

13 Definition

To defend; protect.

14 Definition

To ward off; prevent from approaching or entering; drive off; repel.

Example Sentences
  • to wear the wolf from the sheep
15 Definition

To conduct or guide with care or caution, as into a fold or place of safety.