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

Together, these findings strengthen the idea that aging is not simply the result of wear and tear across the body.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

By Ciccarone’s calculation, a $100 million tunnel halfway through its useful life would have wear and tear of $50 million plus inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Some examples of normal wear and tear include faded paint, worn carpeting and small holes from nails used to hang art.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Orbán will be 63 next month, but the wear and tear of 38 years in frontline politics are obvious to even his hardcore supporters.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

“They complain that the skin and tissues of the face and neck inevitably show the wear and tear of years,” she wrote.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

• depletion
• depreciation
• erosion