wear and tear
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wear and tear
- /ˌwɛəɹ‿ən ˈtɛə/ UK
- /ˌwɛɹ‿ən ˈtɛ(ə)ɹ/ US
Rhymes with -ɛə(ɹ)
Where it comes from
The noun is derived from wear (“damage caused by use over time”, noun) + and + tear (“damage caused by tearing”, noun).
The verb is derived from wear (“to cause gradual deterioration in”, verb) + and + tear (“to rend by pulling apart”, verb), modelled on the noun.
noun
-
Physical damage caused to an object due to ordinary use over time; specifically (accounting, law), as justifying a write-down of the object's value in a set of accounts, or exclusion of compensation for the object under a warranty of quality.
The washing machine flooded the basement due to wear and tear, so Margaret was not eligible to claim compensation from the manufacturer.
Similar: tear and wear
-
The process by which such physical damage is caused.
The structural integrity of the bridge has been compromised by constant wear and tear.
Similar: tear and wear
-
The cost payable for such physical damage.
Firſt, in caſe God ſhall be pleaſed to deliuer the Iland and Caſtle of Ormuz, into the hands of the Perſian by our aide, the moitie of the ſpoile and purchaſe of both to remaine to the Engliſh, the other moitie to the Perſian. […] Fiftly, The Perſian to bee at halfe the ſhips charge for victuall, vv
Similar: tear and wear
- Damage or deterioration caused to something intangible due to harsh conditions, the passing of time, etc.; also, the process by which such damage or deterioration is caused. It vvas th' Inchantment of her Riches, / That made m' apply t' your Croney VVitches, / That in return, vvould pay th' expence, / The VVear-and-tear of Conſcience.
- One's ability to endure harsh conditions; resilience, toughness. Mr. Thomas Bewick the celebrated wood-engraver, died on Saturday last, at the age of 74; though at so advanced an age, he seemed, from his being strongly built, to have many years' wear and tear in him.
verb wears and tears · wearing and tearing · wore and tore · worn and torn
- To cause (something) physical damage due to ordinary use over time; to wear (down). […] Solomon Skinflint, […] ſeeing a large Sheet of Paper that vvould hold three or four Pair of Hoſe, going to be vvaſted, called out, […] This gives us a freſh Opportunity of ſhevving the good Nature of this injured Gentleman; vvho […] ſaved the Paper; vvhoſe Deſtiny vvas not to be burnt, but vvorn
- To cause emotional damage to (someone's feelings, spirit, etc.). Murmuring vexes the heart, it vvears and tears the heart, it inrages and inflames the heart, it vvounds and ſtabs the heart; […]
- Of a thing: to be caused physical damage due to ordinary use over time. The wives toiled over the rough work clothing: long john underwear, heavy socks, rubber boots, thick flannel shirts, oilskins—it all wore and tore and sprung holes from the hard use of battling storm and bad weather.
Translations
Every language
noun physical damage caused to an object due to ordinary use over time; process by which such physical damage is caused
| Español | desgaste |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 磨損 /磨损 mósǔn |
| Kiswahili | uchakavu |
| Português | desgaste |
| Français | usure f normale |
| Deutsch | Abnutzung, Verschleiß |
| Italiano | consumo, logoramento, usura |
Talk about this word "wear and tear." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. wear and tear. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/wear%20and%20tear "wear and tear." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/wear%20and%20tear.Cite this
@misc{wear_and_tear_2026,
title = {wear and tear},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/wear%20and%20tear},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
