wɛr aʊt
neutral
beginner
- Base verb:
- wear
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "wear out" mean?
- To become damaged or useless from use over time
- To exhaust or tire someone completely
Examples
- My running shoes are completely worn out.
- The long hike wore out the children.
- This carpet has worn out and needs replacing.
- Working two jobs is wearing her out.
- Don't wear out your welcome by staying too long.
How to use it
'Worn out' is commonly used as an adjective. 'Wear out your welcome' means to overstay or become unwanted.
Word order
Object can go between: 'wear someone out' or 'wear out the carpet'
Similar expressions
exhaust
tire
deteriorate
fatigue
Opposites
refresh
energize
renew
Related phrasal verbs
- wear off
To gradually disappear or diminish in effect
- wear down
To gradually weaken or exhaust through persistent effort
- get out
To leave a place, room, or vehicle
- turn out
To have a particular result or end in a certain way
- go out
To leave your home for social activities or entertainment
- give out
To distribute something to multiple people
Use it in a practice answer
Try "wear out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.