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• worn-out
  worn-out

  adjective

  worn or used beyond repair.
• worn out
  worn out

  see wear out.

worn-out

American  

[wawrn-out, wohrn-] / ˈwɔrnˈaʊt, ˈwoʊrn- /

adjective

1. worn or used beyond repair.

2. depleted of energy, strength, or enthusiasm; exhausted; fatigued.

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worn-out British  

adjective

1. worn or used until threadbare, valueless, or useless

2. exhausted; very weary

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worn out Idioms  

1. see wear out.

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Etymology

Origin of worn-out

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

I make hotpads from worn-out terry cloth towels and I turn fabric scraps into comforter tops.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

“Pavlov’s bulls came out in full force yesterday, ripping stocks at bad levels on the worn-out idea that geopolitics is always a fade,” said Brent Donnelly, president of Spectra Markets, in commentary shared with MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

But any film that hinges on its cast to prop up a worn-out narrative should be approached with suspicion, if approached at all.

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2026

On top of that, Monza was resurfaced before last year's race, and the new surface has more grip than the old, worn-out one on which Hamilton set the previous record.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2025

I read the worn-out paperbacks in the common room.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• battered
• crumbling
• decaying
• dilapidated
• run-down
• worn