tearaway

American

[tair-uh-wey] / ˈtɛər əˌweɪ /

adjective

designed to be easily separated or opened by tearing.

a box with a tearaway seal.

noun

British. a wild, reckless person.

Etymology

Origin of tearaway

First recorded in 1825–35; adj., noun use of verb phrase tear away

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a best-case scenario, they will be supported by Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue, possibly with space for a tearaway bolter.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

“Today is / 23 / Thursday / April” reads a tearaway calendar on the wall.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2022

It involved finding a stunt double for himself via Backstage Casting and making a tearaway suit jacket by hand.

From The Verge • Oct. 3, 2018

Dubai and Abu Dhabi, though both within the United Arab Emirates, differ, the former favouring tearaway private enterprise, the latter more stately public investments.

From The Guardian • Jul. 21, 2018

“Duterte Harry” portrays him as the tearaway son of the governor of the province of Davao, whose upbringing was unusual but privileged.

From Economist • Jun. 21, 2018

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023