wear and tear

American  

[tair] / tɛər /

Or wear-and-tear

noun

1. damage or deterioration resulting from ordinary use; normal depreciation.

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wear and tear British  

noun

1. damage, depreciation, or loss resulting from ordinary use

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wear and tear Idioms  

1. Damage and deterioration resulting from ordinary use and exposure, as in This sofa shows a lot of wear and tear; we should replace it. [Second half of 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of wear and tear

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wear and tear

Some wrote anxiously about the “strain . . . being felt throughout the services, in terms of wear and tear on the troops, their families, and their equipment.”

From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026

According to the specialist, families continue to find ways to cope with shortages, but the wear and tear is becoming increasingly evident.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

Lower limb injuries including sprains, bone damage and wear and tear of the tendons are common, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The MRI did not show any structural damage, only inflammation that Roberts attributed to the wear and tear of the season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 21, 2026

People move because of the wear and tear of anxiety.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• depletion
• depreciation
• erosion