well-worn
Americanadjective
-
showing the effects of extensive use or wear.
well-worn carpets.
-
trite, hackneyed, or stale.
a well-worn saying.
-
fittingly or becomingly worn or borne.
a well-worn reserve that never seems haughty.
adjective
-
so much used as to be affected by wear
a well-worn coat
-
used too often; hackneyed
a well-worn phrase
Etymology
Origin of well-worn
First recorded in 1615–25
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.
Masks are most effective when they are sealed well, worn correctly and layered with other precautions.
From Scientific American • Mar. 13, 2023
It doesn’t help that the new episodes’ themes feel so well worn.
From Washington Post • Jun. 3, 2022
The silver lining argument—the idea that the plague cleared away the dead wood of the Dark Ages and allowed the Renaissance to bloom—is well worn.
From Slate • Mar. 13, 2022
Wright found himself in real ones, well worn and scuffed.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2020
That’s how Mr. Miyamoto kept his mooring lines—bowlined and pretty well worn out, except the one.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
