wore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A2Neutral (used across formal and informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “wore” mean?
past tense of 'wear': to have clothing, accessories, or a particular expression on one's body or face.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
past tense of 'wear': to have clothing, accessories, or a particular expression on one's body or face.
To show signs of damage or change from prolonged use; to withstand or endure something over time (e.g., 'The path wore thin from constant use').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Potential minor spelling differences in example sentences (e.g., colour/color).
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Identical; equally common.
Grammar
How to Use “wore” in a Sentence
Subject + wore + Object (He wore a tie)Subject + wore + Adverbial (The fabric wore thin)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “wore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He wore a puzzled expression throughout the lecture.
- The old stone steps had worn smooth over centuries.
American English
- She wore a Team USA jersey to the Olympics watch party.
- The truck's tires wore out after 50,000 miles.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
She wore a professional blazer to the interview.
Academic
The ancient statue wore a visible patina of age.
Everyday
He wore his favourite jeans yesterday.
Technical
The bearing wore prematurely due to insufficient lubrication.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “wore”
- Using 'weared' (incorrect; irregular past is 'wore').
- Confusing with 'where' (question word) in writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for clothing/accessories, it can also refer to having a facial expression ('wore a frown'), or something being eroded/diminished over time ('The patience wore thin').
The past participle is 'worn' (e.g., 'I have worn this jacket for years'). 'Wore' is only the simple past tense.
It is an irregular verb. The forms are: wear (present) - wore (past) - worn (past participle).
Not directly. 'Wore' is active. For passive meaning in the past, you would use 'was/were worn' (e.g., 'The uniform was worn by all soldiers').
past tense of 'wear': to have clothing, accessories, or a particular expression on one's body or face.
Wore is usually neutral (used across formal and informal contexts) in register.
Wore: in British English it is pronounced /wɔː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /wɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wore his heart on his sleeve”
- “wore the trousers”
- “wore thin”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'I WORE it before, so it's in the past.' Link to 'wore' sounding like 'war' - you might wear a uniform in a war that happened.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A WEARING AGENT (e.g., 'His patience wore thin').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'wore' CORRECTLY?