wear1 verbwear2 noun
wearwear1 /weə $ wer/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense wore /wɔː $ wɔːr/, past participle worn /wɔːn $ wɔːrn/) 
WORD ORIGINwear1
Origin:
Old English werianVERB TABLE
wear
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | wear |
| he, she, it | wears | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | wore |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have worn |
| he, she, it | has worn | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had worn |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will wear |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have worn |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am wearing |
| he, she, it | is wearing | |
| you, we, they | are wearing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was wearing |
| you, we, they | were wearing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been wearing |
| he, she, it | has been wearing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been wearing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be wearing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been wearing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Carolyn always wore bright colors like red.
- Do you think I can wear these shoes with this dress?
- I wear a lot of black.
- Rosa was wearing her hair in a long braid down her back.
- She wears sandals, even in the winter.
- She was wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
- Were you wearing your jacket when we got on the bus?
- Everything she does, the clothes she wears and her boyfriends will be minutely scrutinized.
- He was six feet two, kept fit by riding daily in Central Park, and always wore jodhpurs to work.
- It works less, rests more, and consequently takes a much longer time to wear out.
- Suitable for people who wear glasses.
- The other, facing us, wears aqua, four thin black stripes low on her hips.
- There is no reason to wear your watch this way, except that your father told you to do so.
THESAURUSto be wearing clothes
to have a particular piece of clothing or a particular style of clothing on your body: · All visitors must wear a protective helmet.· She always wears black.· Can you tell me what the man was wearing?
to be wearing a particular piece of clothing, jewellery etc. Have something on is more informal than wear: · I had my new blue top on.· He had on a red tie and a grey jacket.· The boy had nothing on!
especially written used especially in written descriptions when describing the clothes that someone is wearing: · Alistair was dressed in his best suit and tie.
Longman Language Activatorto wear a particular piece of clothing or set of clothes to have clothes, shoes, glasses, jewellery etc on your body: · She was wearing shorts and a T-shirt.· Were you wearing your jacket when we got on the bus?wear black/red/green etc (=wear black clothes, red clothes etc): · Carolyn always wore bright colors like red.somebody wears something (=someone usually wears a particular type of clothes): · She wears sandals, even in the winter.· I wear a lot of black.
: in a suit/in a red dress etc wearing a suit, a red dress etc: · a couple of boys in baseball caps· There was a man in a linen suit standing at the bar.
to be wearing clothes, shoes, glasses, or jewellery: have a coat/jacket/suit etc on: · That's Jenny Salton over there; she has a blue dress on.· Could you read this for me? I don't have my glasses on.have on a coat/jacket/suit etc: · "What was she wearing?" "I think she had on a dark suit."
to be wearing clothes: · Are you dressed yet? We have to leave now!be dressed in: · They were all dressed in T-shirts and jeans.· a woman dressed in greenbe dressed as somebody (=wearing clothes that make you look like someone else): · Some of the children were dressed as soldiers.
American to be wearing formal clothes or your best clothes, for example on a special occasion: · Look at you - you're all dressed up!· Harvey arrived, dressed up in his only business suit.
British to wear clothes that are more informal than you usually wear: · We dress down at work these days, unless we're going to a client meeting.
to be wearing a lot of warm clothes because it is cold: be bundled up in: · The old man sat on his porch bundled up in old sweaters and scarves.be bundled up against the cold/rain/wind etc: · Spectators, bundled up against the cold, stood and listened to the President speak for an hour.
British to be wearing a particular kind of clothes, especially to do an activity: · Anna was kitted out in her riding gear, waiting by the car.
clothes things that you wear, for example coats, shirts, and dresses: · I need to go buy some new clothes.· The temperature should be around freezing tonight - it's time to get the winter clothes out.· My mother always made us wear our good clothes for travelling.· There are lots of clothes shops on Newbury Street.baby/school/dance etc clothes (=for babies, for school etc): · You can pick up second-hand baby clothes very cheaply.
clothes in general - use this either to talk about a particular type of clothes, or to talk about a large quantity of clothes: · Charities have been delivering food and clothing to the disaster area.warm/light/outdoor etc clothing: · Because of the heat, officials are asking people to wear light, loose-fitting clothing and to drink plenty of water.piece/item/article of clothing (=one thing that you wear, for example a shirt or a dress) formal: · There was nothing in the chest except for a few items of clothing.
spoken clothes, especially clothes for a particular event or occasion : · I must buy something to wear at Julie's wedding.· You're always saying you have nothing to wear, but you've got a whole closet full of clothes. · I can't find anything to wear!
formal a single piece of clothing - used especially by people who make or sell clothes: · The garment industry has grown by 20% in this area in the past five years.· Only two garments may be taken into the changing room.
all the clothes that you own - used especially by people who write about fashion or by people who sell clothes: · Enter our simple fashion quiz and win a whole new wardrobe.· We have everything you need to update your business wardrobe.winter/summer etc wardrobe (=the clothes you have that are suitable to wear in the winter, summer etc): · By adding a few bright buttons or belts to your old clothes you can have a new summer wardrobe.
: evening/casual/sports/children's etc wear the clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity or by a particular group of people - used especially by people who make or sell clothes: · a shop that specializes in evening wear· You'll find a nice range of silk ties in the menswear department on the fourth floor.· The company's line of casual wear is primarily sold in large discount chain stores.
to control people or to control what happens to make things happen or make people behave in the way that you want, by using your authority, skill, money etc: · Miss Weston is having difficulty controlling the children in that class.· The area is now controlled by rebels.· The head of department controls the budget.· Oloco is a huge company, controlling over half the world's oil trade.
the ability or power to make things happen or make people behave in the way that you want: have control: · Heads of department can make some decisions, but the chairman has overall control within the company.control over: · They seem to have no control over their children.control of: · Who has control of the budget?
to control a situation, organization, country etc - use this especially about someone who got their power by using force or by clever planning, but not by being elected: · The President has been arrested, and the rebel forces are now in control.be in control of: · Mr Howard questioned whether the police were still in control of the situation.
spoken used to say that someone has the power to make all the decisions and tell other people what to do: · Mrs Earnshaw is in charge, and what she says, goes.
informal to control a situation so that everyone else has to do what you say, agree with you etc: · It's definitely my mother who calls the shots in my family.· It's always been our policy that the customer should call the tune.
British /be in the driver's seat American informal to have more power than anyone else in a particular organization or situation, so that you control everything: · The Conservatives say they are looking forward to the election, and are confident that they will soon be back in the driving seat.be firmly in the driving seat: · This is how the government is now made up, with the Socialists firmly in the driving seat.
if you say someone is the boss within a family or group, you mean they have the most power over the other people in it: · You'd better ask Mom -- she's the boss around here.show somebody who's boss (=show them that you are in control): · He gave the dog a slap round the head, just to show him who was boss.
informal to be the person who has most power in a relationship - use this especially to say that the woman in a relationship controls the man: · I think you should talk to Pat - she's the one who wears the trousers in that household.
if you keep people in check , you control their behaviour, especially so that they cannot behave badly; if you keep a situation, especially a bad one, in check , you stop it developing any further: · The court heard that the general was unable to keep his troops in check.· The disease is held in check by weekly injections of a power drug.
when weather/water/chemicals etc slowly damage something if the wind, rain, sea etc wears something away , it very gradually destroys its surface until there is nothing left: wear away something: · The action of the sea is constantly wearing away the cliff face.wear something away: · Environmentalists are concerned that rock climbers are wearing the crags away in some places.get worn away: · The cathedral steps were getting worn away by the feet of thousands of visitors.
if water, wind, air etc erodes rock, land, soil etc, it gradually damages it over a long time by removing little pieces of it: · Caves are formed by water eroding rock.· If the river is not controlled, it will erode its banks as well as the surrounding farmland.
if a chemical corrodes something metal, it damages it and makes it gradually disappear or become weaker: · Salt corrodes metal.· If the batteries leak, they can corrode the case of your flashlight.· The pipework was badly corroded in places.
if something made of iron rusts , it is gradually damaged by a chemical reaction with water and turns red-brown in colour: · The iron crosses that marked the graves had rusted badly over the years.· The underside of the car had virtually rusted away.
to damage something by using it to damage clothes, material, or equipment by wearing them or using them a lot: wear out something: · After only a month Terry had worn out the soles of his shoes.wear something out: · If you drive as fast as this all the time, you'll wear the brakes out.get worn out: · The carpet on the stairs is getting worn out.
damage caused by continuous use over a long period: · Excessive tyre wear may be caused by faulty brakes.heavy wear (=a lot of wear): · Dalton said that the machine showed signs of heavy wear and had not been well-maintained.
the normal amount of damage that is caused to furniture, cars, pieces of equipment etc, by using them: wear and tear on: · Having a large family obviously increases the wear and tear on your furniture.normal/everyday wear and tear (=the degree of wear and tear you expect): · Allowing for normal wear and tear, a washing machine should last at least ten years.
to stop being heard, felt etc if a feeling disappears , you stop feeling it: · Drugs won't make the pain disappear altogether, but they will help.· Your grief won't disappear overnight. It takes time to get over the death of someone close to you.
if a sound, a feeling, or a memory fades away , it gradually becomes less loud, less strong, or less clear, until you cannot hear, feel, or remember it any longer: · As the last notes of the song faded away, the audience began to applaud.· For the first two years after the divorce, he was permanently angry, but then the anger faded away.· The memory of the attack will fade away in time.
if something, especially the effect of something, wears off , it gradually disappears: · The pain got worse as the anaesthetic wore off.· The effects of child abuse never wear off.· Once the initial shock has worn off you'll realize that things aren't as bad as you first thought.
if an unpleasant feeling, situation etc goes away , it disappears, especially when you have been trying to get rid of it for a long time: · I wish I could make this headache go away.· His shyness soon went away when he started school.
if a sound dies away , it gradually becomes less loud and less clear until you cannot hear it any longer: · The sound of his footsteps grew fainter and eventually died away.· As the rhythm of the music died away, screams could be heard in the distance.
to gradually stop happening informal to gradually end in a disappointing way - use this about an activity, a relationship, or people's interest in something: · Their romance fizzled out after a few months.· The movie made a great start, but the action seemed to fizzle out halfway through.
to gradually become less and less and then stop happening completely: · By midday the rain had petered out.· The road petered out into a muddy track.· The protest campaign petered out after a few weeks.
if pain or the effect of something wears off , it gradually becomes less until it stops completely: · The effects of the anaesthetic will wear off within a few hours.· The shock has not worn off yet and he seems to be walking around in a daze.the novelty wears off (=when you stop feeling interested or excited about something because it is no longer new): · The kids spent hours on the computer at first, but the novelty soon wore off.
if a sound fades away , it gradually gets quieter and finally stops: · He waited until the sound of the engines had faded away.· As the music faded away the audience broke into enthusiastic applause.
WORD SETSaccessory, nounalter, verbappliqué, nounarmband, nounarmhole, nounbag, nounbejewelled, adjectivebillfold, nounboater, nounbow, nounbowler, nounbow tie, nounbraid, nounbraid, verbbreast-pocket, nounbrim, nounbum bag, nounbust, nounbutton, nounbutton-down, adjectivebuttonhole, nouncape, nounchecked, adjectivecivvies, nounclasp, nouncleat, nounclingy, adjectiveclothes brush, nounclothes hanger, nounclutch bag, nouncoat check, nouncoat hanger, nouncoatroom, nouncobbler, nouncockade, nouncocktail dress, nouncodpiece, nouncollar, nouncollar stud, nouncolour-coordinated, adjectivecolourfast, adjectivecorsage, nouncostume, nouncoveralls, nouncravat, nouncrinkly, adjectivecut, noundark glasses, noundarn, verbdarn, noundart, noundécolletage, noundetailing, noundiadem, noundiaphanous, adjectivedishevelled, adjectivedowdy, adjectivedown-at-heel, adjectivedress, noundress, verbdressed, adjectivedressmaker, noundress sense, noundressy, adjectiveepaulette, nounfacing, nounfancy dress, nounfinery, nounfleecy, adjectivefop, noungarb, noungather, verbgingham, noungold-rimmed, adjectivegranny, adjectivegroom, verbhabit, nounhandbag, nounherringbone, nounknit, verbknitwear, nounline, verblined, adjectiveliner, nounlingerie, nounlining, nounlivery, nounlocker room, nounmade-to-measure, adjectivemade-to-order, adjectivemakeover, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmohair, nounname tag, nounnatty, adjectiveneckline, nounout, adverbpack, nounparasol, nounpinstripe, nounplaid, nounpleat, nounpleated, adjectiveplume, nounplumed, adjectiveplunging neckline, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket handkerchief, nounpolka dot, nounpompom, nounpopper, nounpouch, nounpower dressing, nounpress, verbproof, verbpurse, nounraffish, adjectiveragged, adjectiverail, nounretro, adjectivesalon, nounsensible, adjectivesequin, nounset, verbshoeshine, nounshoulder bag, nounshoulder pad, nounshoulder strap, nounsingle-breasted, adjectivesize, nounsleeve, nounsleeveless, adjectivesling, nounsmocking, nounsoigné, adjectivespangle, nounsportswear, nounstarch, verbstitch, nounstud, nounstudded, adjectivetack, verbtail, nountailor, nountailored, adjectivetailoring, nountapered, adjectivetartan, nountatters, nounthread, nounthread, verbtie-dye, verbtie-pin, nountoe, nountoecap, nountoggle, nountongue, nountoupée, nountrainer, nountrimmings, nountrouser press, nounturn-up, nountweedy, adjectiveunbecoming, adjectiveundress, noununmentionables, nounvalet, nounwallet, nounwear, verbwearer, nounweatherproof, adjectivewell-dressed, adjectivewell-groomed, adjectivewristband, nounzip, nounzipper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Usually I wear black, grey, or brown. I’m wearing a scarlet dress to the party. His jeans have worn thin at the knees. You’ve worn a hole in your sock. His face wore a welcoming smile. The film begins well but the joke wears thin after about ten minutes. I was feeling more tired as the night wore on.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She had to wear a brace after the accident. Whenever she wore heels she was taller than the men she worked with. He was attacked and robbed by two people wearing masks. The stone steps had been worn smooth.
(=have it around yourself)
Usually I wear black, grey, or brown. I’m wearing a scarlet dress to the party. His jeans have worn thin at the knees. You’ve worn a hole in your sock. His face wore a welcoming smile. The film begins well but the joke wears thin after about ten minutes. I was feeling more tired as the night wore on. She had to wear a brace after the accident.· He was wearing a baseball cap.
(=very thin and in bad condition)· It was a dingy room with a threadbare carpet.
(=very boring)· His writing is full of worn-out clichés.
· She always wears beautiful clothes.
· He was wearing a long coat.
· My bike isn’t very comfortable to ride.
· She was wearing gold earrings and a diamond necklace.
(=gradually stops)· The effect of the anaesthetic was beginning to wear off.
(=formal clothes that people wear to social events in the evening)· a shop specializing in glamorous evening wear
(=it gradually becomes less)· The initial excitement of my new job was starting to wear off.
· Their pilot wore an expression of extreme relief.
· I didn’t know you wore glasses.
· Always wear gloves when gardening.
(=have that style of hair)· He wore his hair in a ponytail.
Whenever she wore heels she was taller than the men she worked with.· They’re not allowed to wear make-up to school.
He was attacked and robbed by two people wearing masks.· She doesn't wear nappies anymore; she's toilet trained.
(=continues)· The pain gradually got better as the night wore on.
(=something stops seeming new and interesting)· Once the novelty had worn off he didn't play with his train set much.
(=used a lot or for a long time)· I followed what seemed to be a well-worn path heading in the right direction.
(=they are becoming angry)· People's patience is wearing thin as the queues for visas get longer.
· What's that perfume you are wearing?
· He wore a gold ring on his right hand.
· He was wearing smart black shoes.
(=have a smile on your face)· She wore a self-confident smile.
The stone steps had been worn smooth.· He always wore red socks.
· He wore a gold watch.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· If you remember, the girl said they always wore leather gloves.· He was always wearing a suit though.· She had lots of rings, on both hands, and she always wore overalls.· Patinkin always wears a casual black ensemble when he sings.· Leonard Nimoy always wears his lucky woolly hat on set. 20.· He was six feet two, kept fit by riding daily in Central Park, and always wore jodhpurs to work.· A small, happy man with a white beard, he always wore the traditional grocers' apron.· They appeared with starlets at cabarets, guested on game shows and even flirted with politics, always wearing their masks.
· Needless to say, I never wore the hat and it eventually went into one of my charity bags.· Which is not to say that I never wore them.· I never wore anything that hugged my body.· He never wore it again after that first week, but his secretary kept it for three decades.· He never wore swirling capes or giant fedoras.· That day the dashing young man unbuckled his sword and never wore one again.· She would never wear rubber unless she became incontinent or was taking a course in scuba diving for women.· Or giving lacy, uncomfortably fashionable underthings she will never wear.
· It still wore its fire-engine red livery.· No, he was still wearing it.· She still wears them in class, closing her left eye to bring the blackboard into focus.· He still wore his tartan cap.· Edusha ate her breakfast still wearing her bathrobe and her slippers.· Urquhart had come straight from the office and was still wearing a grey suit with a red tie.· I still wear my Nixon mask on Halloween.
NOUN· At the time of the accident the plaintiff was not wearing a seat belt.· And, she does not force her children to wear seat belts.· His injuries were worse than they would have been if he had been wearing a seat belt.· If the plaintiff was thrown forwards and injured, then clearly failure to wear a seat belt is contributory negligence.· It could be worn with the sword belt on the outside; and the either the forage or the field headgear.· Heavier passengers will cause greater injury to others in an accident if they are not wearing a seat belt.· The plaintiff scaffolder was injured when he fell and was not wearing a safety belt.
· One man, wearing a red cap and with a knife in his mouth, was already on top of the fence.· Police released a composite sketch of him Saturday; in the picture, he is wearing a knit cap.· He was wearing a peaked cap of brown leather and a long black overcoat.· He wore a soft cap of the sort one wears in summer.· The man sitting next to her grandmother wore the distinctive sharp-peaked cap of the Gestapo and Peach froze with horror.· He wore a blue baseball cap backward and a gold hoop in his left ear.· He is wearing a tweed cap and an ancient blue trenchcoat.· The bushes wore thick caps of snow.
· I don't remember the clothes you wore, or your beautiful hair, or the sardines, or the mouth organ.· I owned the clothes I wore and $ 20.· What I do like about her is her confidence, the way she wears outrageous clothes.· Q: Do you like the clothes you wear on the show?· Tim noticed that they looked shabby, their clothes were worn at the edges, the collars dull and frayed.· They were all in the clothes traditionally worn when people are going to Testify.· I am wearing overalls and a striped pullover I hate because it reminds me of the clothes men wear on chain gangs.
· Some women wear fur coats, others puffa jackets and boots.· She wore a black coat and had a Soviet Railway badge pinned to her black hat.· I didn't want to work in a place where I couldn't wear my fur coat.· He walked to the front of the large auditorium still wearing his heavy coat and black felt bowler.· She wore a tweed coat with a Cairngorm brooch in the lapel and a furry green felt hat.· Her feet are bare and she is wearing no coat, only a short-sleeved dress with tiny sprigs of blue flowers.· Nan wore the smart navy coat she had worn yesterday, but this time over a pale yellow wool dress.· Today the man carrying the placard warning that the end is nigh may well be wearing a white laboratory coat.
· There was the pretty girl from the village shop wearing an emerald-green dress more suited to a wedding.· Today Astrid wore a white satiny dress with a wide gold cinch belt.· He was only outdone by pony-tailed Kate Winslet, wearing a plunging black dress with a crocheted black cardigan.· She is wearing a black dress and pearls, and a stole is strewn on the front seat.· Some of them wore dresses with bulky trainers showing at the bottom.· Jenny, the tomboy, still felt awkward wearing a dress, and so she wore jodhpurs most of the time.· She wore a ravishing dress of white tulle with a wide skirt embroidered with little knots of red velvet.· Had the Brother worn a religious dress, it is most unlikely that such a mistake would have occurred.
· If you remember, the girl said they always wore leather gloves.· A two-year-old girl wore L-shaped shoes to keep her feet in the proper position while sleeping or resting.· There was a thin silver ring of the type small girls wear on the fourth finger.· A woman and a girl wore Western clothing.· This girl is wearing black, and Mr Earnshaw died recently.· Now the Wicked Witch had a great longing to have for her own the Silver Shoes which the girl always wore.· The girls were wearing them along with fat clunky shoes that looked like malformed elevator shoes from the seventies.
· He had a moustache, short dark hair, and he wore glasses.· Above the grin, the Microsoft Bob face is wearing thick black-rimmed glasses, a la Buddy Holly.· Clean-shaven, he wore steel-rimmed glasses and moved with calculated deliberation.· A young woman wearing glasses with thick lenses sat on a huge sack, reading a letter.· He wore horn-rim glasses and had an air of authority.· Miraculously, he was still wearing his glasses.· You've got short hair, you've got a moustache now, and you wear glasses.· Dad wore glasses, but they spent more time in his hand than on his nose.
· She was wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas.· Alek brought her a cluster of early narcissus and she wore a short white gown with a grass-blade pattern.· He had deliberately sent Dana away when he must know how important it was she wear the gown designed for her.· I recognized Rod Holloway, wearing a surgical gown.· The bride wore a gown of ivory raw satin, with the bride and groom's initials embroidered on the train.· All she had left was the clothes she wore, the second gown Nahum had bought her, and her wedding ring.· She was wearing a long white gown, her hair hanging down, like a crazy woman.
· Her orange-red hair was worn bouffant, and her orange lipstick made her look like a small circus clown.· She sipped her wine, the dark brown hair she still wore long hanging on each side of her face.· He had fair short hair and wore a red tartan jacket.· She looked shorter, rounder, her hair gone gray and worn in a bun.· Her hair would have been worn in ringlets, or perhaps plaited and held in place with decorative pins.· She has dark hair, wears a slip of patterned silk pulled up to reveal her thighs.
· Always protect them with high factor sunscreen creams, and wear a t-shirt and hat.· They wear square hats, when they should try sombreros.· Bernstock & Speirs' hats are designed to be easy to wear.· One side is not wearing black hats and one wearing white hats.· Needless to say, I never wore the hat and it eventually went into one of my charity bags.· A buxom woman wears a tall hat.· The station master is wearing a hat shaped like a cucumber.· I think she never forgave me for organizing my friends against wearing hats to mass in 1965.
· Thorfinn had not even troubled to wear his helmet.· Failure to wear a bicycle helmet often contributed to the deaths of cyclists who had been drinking.· He has dark hair and wears a gold helmet with a crest.· And as far as could be determined, none of those head injuries involved anyone wearing a helmet.· He suddenly had a vision of Lee tearing up his note-book and wearing his helmet.· Why did she not wear her helmet, as she usually does?· The rider wore a gilded Grecian helmet that was crested with black and red wool and plumed with a white tuft.· He wears a white helmet that is sealed to his airtight suit and he strides to the unmarked plane without delay.
· The man who shot Richard had grey hair and was wearing a black leather jacket, a blue jumper and jeans.· Mr Alsop generally wore a velvet smoking jacket to dinner; the young men wore black tie.· I had borrowed one of Norris's big paramilitary-style fawn shirts to wear as a jacket over my anti Poll Tax T-shirt.· Frank, the eldest son, is twelve, old enough to wear a jacket and tie.· He did look strange, wearing his woolly jacket and swinging in his sling!· Tony Rich, wearing a fleece-trimmed black jacket with black satin pants and a derby.· He wore a brown sports jacket with a black roll neck sweater.· The bikers wear leather jackets, chaps and gloves.
· He was wearing jeans, like her, and a sweatshirt, and she almost laughed.· Gary wears regulation Levi 501 jeans and a Ralph Lauren polo shirt.· She wears jeans and a tatty jumper.· Seven months earlier my friend could be seen on campus wearing blue jeans and a shirt that said dumb things.· Followed at once by a young man, dark-haired, sunburnt, wearing jeans and a T-shirt.· She wore jeans and a shirt.· Tina looked fantastic in whatever she wore, particularly jeans or a tennis skirt.· She was wearing her blue jeans under her nightgown.
· The man was wearing a donkey jacket and overalls.· One man, wearing a cowboy hat and a loud check jacket, clashed somewhat with the overcoats and pinstripes.· A woman in her mid forties was dragged into bushes by a man wearing a black stocking mask.· Pappas was shot by two men wearing ski masks.· All the men wore the same cut of beige suit with wide lapels and thick stitching.· At last there was a knock on the door and a young man entered wearing a battered leather jacket and torn breeches.
· As I said she wore a mask, and a rich black cloak with white lambswool trimmings.· At the door is a sign instructing all visitors to wear a mask and gown to avoid contaminating the patient.· Clearly, a character wearing a mask is going to have a tricky time with some Fel tests.· Some even began wearing gas masks to block the suspicious fumes.· Sir, if that was my master, why was he wearing a mask over his face?· They wear custom, low-volume masks.· The demonic figures wearing ugly masks and straw and brushwood clothes are intended to scare away evil spirits.· I still wear my Nixon mask on Halloween.
· Now that her ankle was fully recovered she could wear a higher pair of fragile silver sandals.· He would wear a pair of shoes until they almost fell apart.· She wasn't afraid to wear a pair of glasses.· He was wearing a very attractive pair of black tassel loafers.· He was wearing a pair of steel-rimmed spectacles.· Cynthia arrived, wearing a pair of blue oven mitts and carrying a large stew pot.· Nat let him in and went to fetch Tony who appeared wearing a pair of boxer shorts and a big smile.· It was Gao Ma, wearing only a pair of olive-drab underpants.
· In his left ear he wore a small ring.· I stopped wearing my wedding ring.· She is sometimes seen by his side but wears no engagement ring.· The woman was wearing a wedding ring with diamonds circling a blue sapphire stone, Rodriguez said.· He wore a gold ring, engraved with the letter R - his Christmas present from Johanna.· His golden hair was parted down the middle, and he wore a gold ring on his right hand.· On the index finger of his left hand he wore a gold signet ring.· He wore a gold ring on the third finger of his left hand.
· He had a grey walrus moustache and was wearing a collarless shirt with the sleeves rolled up.· James Walker wore a white tee shirt not quite large enough to accommodate his biceps and pectorals.· Zach put it on and when the jacket was done up it looked as if he was wearing a proper dress shirt.· Saturday night at the Shoreline Amphitheatre he was wearing a white shirt and thick framed glasses.· Peter usually wore the number 11 shirt but frequently operated down the right flank.· She wore jeans and a shirt.· He wore a black shirt and brown trousers during the two-minute hearing at South Sefton Magistrates' court.· As usual, Marty is wearing a plaid shirt, suspenders and Harley-Davidson cap.
· She decided to risk of pair of ridiculously high-heeled shoes, which she wore only occasionally.· Some of us are wearing stylish golf shoes and some are wearing the high-priced sneakers of Tiger Woods' favorite shoe company.· She'd walked some distance, judging by her shoes, which were worn to pieces.· They began with nothing but the shoes they wore, the old clothes on their backs...· She had never seen anything like the shoes the girl was wearing.· But ultimately people want some suits and dresses and shoes to wear down here.· I haven't got the shoes he was wearing, but I have got his spare school pair.· A pencil is for writing, a shoe is for wearing, a car is for driving.
· I felt so cross with myself, so stupid for wearing a short skirt.· She also suggested that I wear a skirt, a long skirt.· She wears a short black skirt and a holster on her belt.· She was wearing a green skirt and a white blouse; she was absolutely clean.· I absolutely hated having to wear a skirt but I soon got used to it.· Alan told me when I arrived at a restaurant wearing a long black skirt.· With its pretty round neck, softly padded shoulders and front-pocket detail, it looks great worn with a skirt or trousers.· She wore a long skirt and a baggy maroon V-neck sweater, one of mine she had appropriated and almost worn out.
· The author's face wears a witch's smile of appreciation.· I look like I have been pressed into this against my wishes though I wear a phony smile.· Her dead body wears the smile of accomplishment.· The city wears a smile, and the arts that endure are valued.· He was content there; he wore a wearied smile.· Meh'Lindi wore a mildly blissful smile which vanished as she came alert again.· The figures on the west still wear the archaic smile.· His face wore that same enigmatic smile, but he did not speak.
· WEAPONS/ARMOUR: Marius wears a suit of heavy armour and rides an armoured Warhorse.· He wears a silver suit on stage.· He wore a blue suit of safari cut, a non-military colour but a safari-suit none the less.· One worker would have suffered fatal burns had he not worn a protective chemical suit which was not routine for repair work.· Urquhart had come straight from the office and was still wearing a grey suit with a red tie.· He wears excellently tailored business suits, buying six a year from the best shop on Michigan Avenue.
· Why can female staff in Canterbury wear casual clothes but the men have to wear shirts and ties?· Mr Alsop generally wore a velvet smoking jacket to dinner; the young men wore black tie.· The stubble was gone, and he was even wearing a tie - well, nearly.· Citizen Oswald came to town wearing his dark tie, cashmere sweater and gray flannel suit.· But today, wearing the right tie often means wearing the right label.· I wore a tie to work.· In sombre silence, wearing black ties, the Calvinist elders walk between the unusually-full pews.· Everyone wears a suit and tie to the table.
· It looked like Uncle Mosse; it was wearing his old uniform.· Those students and parents who refuse to wear uniforms can apply for a waiver.· It would have been better than staying at home but I did not want to wear a school uniform.· I feel the gates shut on the man, who is now wearing a striped uniform.· Redbrook Secondary appears to be run on fairly formal lines, with all pupils wearing a uniform.· You wear a uniform to play baseball, you wear a uniform to play soccer.· The 12 also refused to wear their prison uniform.· He wore a white uniform and carried a spray can of poison with a long wand.
· He floated up the East River wearing a stolen watch.· The consultants wore watch-chains.· There is no reason to wear your watch this way, except that your father told you to do so.· Could the workers afford to buy and wear these watches?· I only wear my watch this way because my father did.· He had played a wizard, but Anton now wore his watch.· Something about not wearing a watch, he ventured.
· The women wore Laura Ashley or Ghost dresses, the men wore expensive jeans.· In another painting, the subject, a woman, wears yellow.· A young woman wearing glasses with thick lenses sat on a huge sack, reading a letter.· In all of these circumstances women can wear their feminist hearts on their sleeves and the world will continue much the same.· No woman should wear a tampon for more than eight hours.· All females in their thirties dressed like chic astronauts; all women over forty wore jaunty, flared trouser suits.· She was a thin pale blond woman who never wore makeup.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► wear your heart on your sleeve► wear somebody ↔ down► wear somebody outPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► if the cap fits (, wear it)► be wearing your teacher’s/salesman’s etc hat
- I think you should talk to Pat - she's the one who wears the trousers in that household.
- And contrary to popular belief, we don't want to wear the trousers at home.
- In her wake came the likes of Chrissie Hynde, who found it easier just to wear the trousers.
- After the novelty wears off, the Internet can be a very dull place.
- Once the novelty has worn off, most of these kitchen gadgets just sit in the cupboard, unused for years.
- But as time wears on, the novelty wears off and dissatisfaction results.
- Maybe Antonietta herself will tire of me when the novelty wears off.
- For a decade, Jerusalem continued approaching Washington with a measure of humility, careful not to wear out its welcome.
- I mean when you get bored or some one wears out their welcome do you treat them like you would your job?
- They may become tired of being asked constantly; you may wear out your welcome.
- Brass wears as well as steel in most hinges.
- Pavement's album from 1991 still wears well.
- A dense pile wears better than a loosely-woven one, which can be parted to reveal the backing.
- But most have stayed and worn well, reassuring and fixed points in an otherwise changing landscape.
- He has worn well, she mused.
- He was producing boots that sold well but did not wear well.
- His haughtiness did not wear well with the Republicans who controlled both houses of the legislature.
- If he was Sorrel's father, then he must have been around his mid-forties at least, but he'd worn well.
- That bit of you has worn well!
- Vibram: a brand name for a traditional tough and heavy-duty patterned sole which wears well.
- The joke about prudence is wearing thin.
- We were worn to a frazzle after our last-minute Christmas shopping.
- Against all expectations, it has not taken on the mantle of best pupil in the euro class.
- I have no wish to see Aitken go through the rest of his life wearing sackcloth and ashes.
- Architectural details there were few and those were the worse for wear.
- But I can see he's the worse for wear, the weathering the worker wreaks on himself.
- But I digress ... We are all somewhat the worse for wear after a long night in the hotel bar.
- Here I was, returning from a presidential mission, and plainly the worse for wear.
- It was a long evening, and he arrived home at two in the morning, much the worse for wear.
- John McGuire was slightly the worse for wear after his night out with his wife.
- They were a bit the worse for wear; the flat was not clean and was damp.
WORD FAMILYnounwearunderwearweareradjectivewearingwornverbwear
1on your body [transitive] to have something such as clothes, shoes, or jewellery on your body: Susanna was wearing a black silk dress. He wore glasses for reading.wear a seat belt (=have it around yourself)wear black/white/red etc Usually I wear black, grey, or brown.wear something to a party/a dance/an interview etc I’m wearing a scarlet dress to the party.► see thesaurus at dressRegisterIn everyday English, people often say that someone has something on rather than is wearing something:· She had on a black silk dress.2hair [transitive] to have your hair or beard in a particular style or shape: She wore her hair loose.3damage [intransitive, transitive] to become thinner or weaker after continuous use, or to make something do this: The cushions are starting to wear a little. His jeans have worn thin at the knees. You’ve worn a hole in your sock.4wear well a)to remain in good condition after a period of time: The tyres on the car seem to be wearing well. b)if someone is wearing well, they look younger than they really are: He must have been around his mid-forties at least, but he’d worn well.5expression [transitive] to have a particular expression on your facewear a smile/frown/grin etc His face wore a welcoming smile.6something is wearing thin a)if something is wearing thin, you are bored with it because it is not interesting anymore, or has become annoying: The film begins well but the joke wears thin after about ten minutes. b)if your patience is wearing thin, you have very little left, because of a delay or problem7wear the trousers British English, wear the pants American English informal to be the person in a family who makes the decisions8wear your heart on your sleeve informal to show your true feelings openly—wearable adjectivewear away phrasal verb to gradually become thinner or smoother, or to make something become like this, because of rubbing or touching: The leather is starting to wear away at the seams.wear something ↔ away Most of the grass had already been worn away by the spectators.wear down phrasal verb1to gradually become flatter or smoother, or to make something become like this, because of rubbing or use: My shoes have worn down at the heel.wear something ↔ down Its teeth were worn down.2 wear somebody ↔ down to gradually make someone physically weaker or less determined: It was clear he was being worn down by the rumours over his future.wear off phrasal verb1if pain or the effect of something wears off, it gradually stops: The effects of the anaesthetic were starting to wear off.2the novelty wears off used to say that you stop feeling interested or excited about something because it is no longer new: It was funny for a while but the novelty soon wore off.wear on phrasal verb if time wears on, it passes very slowly, especially when you are waiting for something to happen: I was feeling more tired as the night wore on.wear out phrasal verb1to become damaged and useless, or to make something like this, by using it a lot or for a long time: My boots are beginning to wear out.wear something ↔ out He travels so much he actually wears out suitcases.2 wear somebody out to make someone feel extremely tired SYN exhaust: All this shopping has worn us out.wear yourself out Illness and death came suddenly; over the years she had simply worn herself out.3wear out your welcome to stay with someone longer than they want you to → worn outwear1 verbwear2 noun
wearwear2 ●○○ noun [uncountable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a shop that specializes in evening wear
- After five years, the stadium is beginning to show signs of wear.
- Dalton said that the machine showed signs of heavy wear and had not been well-maintained.
- Excessive tyre wear may be caused by faulty brakes.
- The company's line of casual wear is primarily sold in large discount chain stores.
- This type of sofa can take a lot of wear.
- An inner spiral has also been added to deflect swirling grain from the cyclone's inlet pipe, minimising wear.
- Architectural details there were few and those were the worse for wear.
- It is sometimes possible to determine when this procedure has been used, by examining the wear patterns of the gears.
THESAURUS
noun [plural] things you wear to cover your body or keep you warm. Clothes is always plural: · I like your clothes!· Don’t throw your dirty clothes on the floor!· a clothes shop
noun [uncountable] used when talking in general about a type of clothes, or about making or selling clothes. Also used in the phrase a piece/item/article of clothing (=one of the things that someone wears): · You’ll need to take some warm clothing.· It is important to wear protective clothing at all times.· a clothing manufacturer· a clothing retailer· Police found a piece of clothing in the bushes.· I took a change of clothing with me.
noun [countable] formal one thing that you wear. Also used when talking about buying and selling clothes: · a long velvet garment· the garment industry· garment workers· garment factories
noun [uncountable] a particular style of clothes. Don’t use dress on its own: · Casual dress is not appropriate for an interview.· men in evening dress
noun [uncountable] used about types of clothes sold in a shop, in the following phrases. Don’t use wear on its own: · children’s wear· sports wear· casual wear
noun [uncountable] informal clothes for a particular sport or activity: · She was wearing her running gear.· Have you got all your gear?
noun [singular] all the clothes that you own, or all the clothes that you wear at a particular time of year: · Her wardrobe consisted mainly of smart clothes for work.· I will need a new summer wardrobe.· You could win a complete new wardrobe!
Longman Language Activatorclothes things that you wear, for example coats, shirts, and dresses: · I need to go buy some new clothes.· The temperature should be around freezing tonight - it's time to get the winter clothes out.· My mother always made us wear our good clothes for travelling.· There are lots of clothes shops on Newbury Street.baby/school/dance etc clothes (=for babies, for school etc): · You can pick up second-hand baby clothes very cheaply.
clothes in general - use this either to talk about a particular type of clothes, or to talk about a large quantity of clothes: · Charities have been delivering food and clothing to the disaster area.warm/light/outdoor etc clothing: · Because of the heat, officials are asking people to wear light, loose-fitting clothing and to drink plenty of water.piece/item/article of clothing (=one thing that you wear, for example a shirt or a dress) formal: · There was nothing in the chest except for a few items of clothing.
spoken clothes, especially clothes for a particular event or occasion : · I must buy something to wear at Julie's wedding.· You're always saying you have nothing to wear, but you've got a whole closet full of clothes. · I can't find anything to wear!
formal a single piece of clothing - used especially by people who make or sell clothes: · The garment industry has grown by 20% in this area in the past five years.· Only two garments may be taken into the changing room.
all the clothes that you own - used especially by people who write about fashion or by people who sell clothes: · Enter our simple fashion quiz and win a whole new wardrobe.· We have everything you need to update your business wardrobe.winter/summer etc wardrobe (=the clothes you have that are suitable to wear in the winter, summer etc): · By adding a few bright buttons or belts to your old clothes you can have a new summer wardrobe.
: evening/casual/sports/children's etc wear the clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity or by a particular group of people - used especially by people who make or sell clothes: · a shop that specializes in evening wear· You'll find a nice range of silk ties in the menswear department on the fourth floor.· The company's line of casual wear is primarily sold in large discount chain stores.
to damage something by using it to damage clothes, material, or equipment by wearing them or using them a lot: wear out something: · After only a month Terry had worn out the soles of his shoes.wear something out: · If you drive as fast as this all the time, you'll wear the brakes out.get worn out: · The carpet on the stairs is getting worn out.
damage caused by continuous use over a long period: · Excessive tyre wear may be caused by faulty brakes.heavy wear (=a lot of wear): · Dalton said that the machine showed signs of heavy wear and had not been well-maintained.
the normal amount of damage that is caused to furniture, cars, pieces of equipment etc, by using them: wear and tear on: · Having a large family obviously increases the wear and tear on your furniture.normal/everyday wear and tear (=the degree of wear and tear you expect): · Allowing for normal wear and tear, a washing machine should last at least ten years.
WORD SETSanorak, nounarm, nounascot, nounBabygro, nounbalaclava, nounbandanna, nounbaseball cap, nounbasque, nounbathing cap, nounbathing costume, nounbathing suit, nounbathing trunks, nounbathrobe, nounbath towel, nounbeachwear, nounbeading, nounbeanie, nounbearskin, nounbell-bottoms, nounbelt, nounbelted, adjectiveberet, nounbespoke, adjectivebib, nounbikini, nounblack-tie, adjectiveblazer, nounblouse, nounblue jeans, nounboa, nounbobble, nounbobble hat, nounbobby socks, nounbodice, nounbody, nounbody stocking, nounbody suit, nounboiler suit, nounbolero, nounbolo tie, nounbomber jacket, nounbonnet, nounboob tube, nounboot, nounbootee, nounbootlace, nounbottom, nounboxer shorts, nounbra, nounbraid, nounbrassiere, nounbreeches, nounbritches, nounbrogue, nounBurberry, business suit, nounbustle, nouncaftan, nouncagoule, nouncamiknickers, nouncamisole, nouncap, nouncape, nouncardigan, nouncare label, nouncarpet slipper, nouncassock, nouncast-offs, nouncasual, adjectivecat suit, nounchemise, nounchinos, nounchinstrap, nouncloak, nouncloche, nounclog, nouncloth cap, nouncoat, nouncoattails, nouncocked hat, nouncony, nouncoonskin, adjectivecope, nouncorset, nouncourt shoe, nouncouture, nouncowboy hat, nouncowl, nouncowl neck, nouncrew neck, nouncrinoline, nouncuff, nounculottes, nouncummerbund, nouncut, noundeck shoe, noundeerstalker, noundelicates, nounderby, noundicky, noundinner jacket, noundog collar, noundonkey jacket, noundouble-breasted, adjectivedoublet, noundrainpipe trousers, noundrawstring, noundress, noundressing gown, noundress shirt, noundress uniform, noundrip-dry, adjectivedry-clean, verbdry cleaner's, nounduffel coat, noundungarees, nounduster, nounearmuffs, nounelbow, nounensemble, nounespadrille, nounevening dress, nounfalsies, nounfashion, nounfashion show, nounfastener, nounfeather boa, nounfeathered, adjectivefez, nounfishnet stockings, nounfitting, nounfitting room, nounflannel, nounflannelette, nounflat, adjectiveflat cap, nounfleece, nounflip-flops, nounflipper, nounfloor-length, adjectiveflounce, nounflounced, adjectivefly, nounfootwear, nounformal, nounfox, nounfray, verbfrilly, adjectivefrock, nounfrock coat, nounfull, adjectivefull dress, nounfur, nounfuzz, noungabardine, noungaiter, noungaloshes, noungarment, noungarter, noungarter belt, noungather, verbgather, noungathering, noungauntlet, noungear, noungetup, noungirdle, nounglove, noungloved, adjectivegown, noungreatcoat, nounG-string, noungumboot, noungusset, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhaberdasher, nounhaberdashery, nounhalter, nounhand-me-down, nounhanger, nounhankie, nounhard-wearing, adjectivehat, nounhatpin, nounhatter, nounheadband, nounheaddress, nounheadscarf, nounhem, nounhem, verbhemline, nounhip pocket, nounhobnailed, adjectivehomburg, nounhooded, adjectivehook and eye, nounhose, nounhosiery, nounhot pants, nounhousecoat, nouninformal, adjectiveinsole, nouninstep, nouniron, nouniron, verbironing, nounjackboot, nounjacket, nounjammies, nounjeans, nounjerkin, nounjersey, nounJockey shorts, nounjockstrap, nounjodhpurs, nounjogging suit, nounjumper, nounjumpsuit, nounkaftan, nounkerchief, nounkhakis, nounkilt, nounkimono, nounknee breeches, nounknickerbockers, nounknickers, nounlace, nounlace-up, nounlapel, nounleg, nounleggings, nounleotard, nounlinen, nounloafer, nounloincloth, nounlong, adjectivelong johns, nounlounge suit, nounlow, adjectivelow-cut, adjectiveLycra, nounmac, nounmackintosh, nounmantle, nounmasquerade, nounmatinée jacket, nounmenswear, nounmilliner, nounmillinery, nounmini, nounminiskirt, nounmink, nounmitt, nounmitten, nounmob cap, nounmoccasin, nounmoleskin, nounmonogram, nounmoon boot, nounmorning coat, nounmorning dress, nounmorning suit, nounmourning, nounmuff, nounmuffler, nounmukluks, nounmule, nounmuu-muu, nounname-tape, nounnational costume, nounnational dress, nounneck, nounneckerchief, nounnecktie, nounnegligee, nounnightcap, nounnightclothes, nounnightdress, nounnightgown, nounnightie, nounnightshirt, nounnightwear, nounnon-iron, adjectiveoff-the-peg, adjectiveoilskin, nounone-piece, adjectiveopen, adjectiveopen-necked, adjectiveouterwear, nounoutfitter, nounoutsize, adjectiveoverall, nounovercoat, nounoverdressed, adjectiveovershoe, nounoxford, nounpadded, adjectivepanama hat, nounpanel, nounpantaloons, nounpanties, nounpants, nounpantyhose, nounparka, nounpatch, nounpatch, verbpatent leather, nounpeak, nounpencil skirt, nounpetticoat, nounpillbox, nounpinafore, nounpinny, nounpith helmet, nounpj's, nounplimsoll, nounplus fours, nounpolo neck, nounpolo shirt, nounponcho, nounpre-shrunk, adjectivepull-on, adjectivepullover, nounputtee, nounpyjamas, nounraglan, adjectiveraincoat, nounrainproof, adjectiveready-to-wear, adjectiveregalia, nounrevealing, adjectiverobe, nounrobed, adjectiverubber boot, nounruff, nounruffle, nounrun, verbrun, nounsable, nounsaddle shoe, nounsailor suit, nounsandal, nounsari, nounsarong, nounsartorial, adjectivesash, nounsatchel, nounscarf, nounschool tie, nounscoop neck, nounseamed, adjectiveseamless, adjectiveseparates, nounshawl, nounshell suit, nounshirt, nounshirtfront, nounshirt tail, nounshoe, nounshoehorn, nounshoelace, nounshoemaker, nounshoestring, nounshoulder, nounshoulder strap, nounshowerproof, adjectivesinglet, nounskin-tight, adjectiveskirt, nounskull cap, nounslicker, nounslingback, nounslip, nounslip-ons, nounslipper, nounsmock, nounsmoking jacket, nounsmuggling, nounsnap, nounsnappy, adjectivesneaker, nounsnowshoe, nounsnug, adjectivesock, nounsole, nounsole, verbsombrero, nounsou'wester, nounsox, nounsporran, nounsport coat, nounsport jacket, nounsports coat, nounsport shirt, nounsports jacket, nounsports shirt, nounsporty, adjectivestay, nounStetson, nounstiletto, nounstocking, nounstole, nounstone-washed, adjectivestraitjacket, nounstrip, nounstud, nounsuit, nounsundress, nounsun hat, nounsurplice, nounsuspender belt, nounsweatband, nounsweater, nounsweatpants, nounsweatshirt, nounsweat suit, nounswimming costume, nounswimming trunks, nounswimsuit, nounswimwear, nountailcoat, nountank top, nountee shirt, nounten-gallon hat, nounTerylene, nounthermal, adjectivethong, nounthree-piece suit, nountights, nountoga, nountop, nountopcoat, nountopee, nountop hat, nountopi, nountopper, nountracksuit, nountrain, nountrench coat, nountrilby, nountrousers, nountrouser suit, nounT-shirt, nountube top, nountuck, verbtuck, nountunic, nounturban, nounturtleneck, nountutu, nountuxedo, nountweed, nountwinset, nountwo-piece, adjectiveunderclothes, noununderdressed, adjectiveundergarment, noununderpants, nounundershirt, noununderwear, nounundies, noununiform, noununiformed, adjectiveunion suit, nounupper, nounveil, nounvelour, nounvelvet, nounvisor, nounvoluminous, adjectivewaist, nounwaistband, nounwaistcoat, nounwaistline, nounwardrobe, nounwashing, nounwaterproof, nounwear, nounwedding dress, nounwellie, nounwellington, nounwelly, nounwet-look, adjectivewet suit, nounwimple, nounwind breaker, nounwing collar, nounwingtip, nounwool, nounwoollen, adjectivewoollens, nounwoolly, adjectivewoolly, nounworsted, nounwrap, nounwrap-around, adjectivewrinkle, nounwristband, nounY-fronts, nounyoke, nounzoot suit, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives She had to wear a brace after the accident. Whenever she wore heels she was taller than the men she worked with. He was attacked and robbed by two people wearing masks. The stone steps had been worn smooth.
formal (=clothes worn to formal events in the evening)· The band were dressed in evening wear.
· The company makes stylish casual wear for men and women.
· This is leisure wear for active people.
· Actresses were dressed in everything from formal wear to miniskirts.
· a bridal wear shop
(=for pregnant women)· The shop sells comfortable and fashionable maternity wear for every occasion.
· the children’s wear section of the store
· I can’t afford designer wear.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She had to wear a brace after the accident.· He was wearing a baseball cap.
(=very thin and in bad condition)· It was a dingy room with a threadbare carpet.
(=very boring)· His writing is full of worn-out clichés.
· She always wears beautiful clothes.
· He was wearing a long coat.
· My bike isn’t very comfortable to ride.
· She was wearing gold earrings and a diamond necklace.
(=gradually stops)· The effect of the anaesthetic was beginning to wear off.
(=formal clothes that people wear to social events in the evening)· a shop specializing in glamorous evening wear
(=it gradually becomes less)· The initial excitement of my new job was starting to wear off.
· Their pilot wore an expression of extreme relief.
· I didn’t know you wore glasses.
· Always wear gloves when gardening.
(=have that style of hair)· He wore his hair in a ponytail.
Whenever she wore heels she was taller than the men she worked with.· They’re not allowed to wear make-up to school.
He was attacked and robbed by two people wearing masks.· She doesn't wear nappies anymore; she's toilet trained.
(=continues)· The pain gradually got better as the night wore on.
(=something stops seeming new and interesting)· Once the novelty had worn off he didn't play with his train set much.
(=used a lot or for a long time)· I followed what seemed to be a well-worn path heading in the right direction.
(=they are becoming angry)· People's patience is wearing thin as the queues for visas get longer.
· What's that perfume you are wearing?
· He wore a gold ring on his right hand.
· He was wearing smart black shoes.
(=have a smile on your face)· She wore a self-confident smile.
The stone steps had been worn smooth.· He always wore red socks.
· He wore a gold watch.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· She knew perfectly well from the many Press photos of him that he preferred casual wear.· Consequently, we're seeing it more on the high street as casual wear.· Today's look is still smart - even casual wear is part of mainstream fashion.· Our handsome first edition covers everything from suits to casual wear.· There was to be a show in the morning, mainly of street and casual wear.· He was dressed in casual wear: grey sweater and slacks with knife edge creases.· Smart casual wear is quite in order for dinner time, but bring one cocktail dress for the Captain's cocktail party.
NOUN· The collection includes day wear, evening wear and stunning ballgowns.· The band, dressed in evening wear and sitting on a raised dais, were at the far end of the hall.· However, for slinky evening wear, black, be it opaque or sheer, is still the right choice.· First, sartorial simplicity is always best - evening wear is not fancy dress.· For details of evening wear hire departments in Britain see page 134.· Two styles, equally elegant, each suited to day or evening wear.· Red satin, stripes or dots will not do. Evening wear is ceremonial dress.
· Details of a deal with leisure wear company Cotton Traders will be announced shortly.· In the following series the reliance on women in fishnet leisure wear became a bit obvious.· Sally is into high street leisure wear and casual daytime things rather than glitzy disco gear.· The typical leisure wear at the ryokan is a blue and white cotton robe known as a yukata provided by the management.
VERB· The forefoot showed excessive wear while the heel remained relatively unscathed.· Replace anything that is showing signs of wear and always have a strong safety leash joining the rig to the board.· And who could blame him for showing a little wear?· The flats had been built ten years earlier and showed wear badly.· Some items suffered from more than one specific defect, while others suffered from none, showing merely general wear and tear.· However, they are more expensive, require more complicated care procedure and are more likely to show signs of wear.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► if the cap fits (, wear it)► be wearing your teacher’s/salesman’s etc hat
- We were worn to a frazzle after our last-minute Christmas shopping.
- Against all expectations, it has not taken on the mantle of best pupil in the euro class.
- I have no wish to see Aitken go through the rest of his life wearing sackcloth and ashes.
- Architectural details there were few and those were the worse for wear.
- But I can see he's the worse for wear, the weathering the worker wreaks on himself.
- But I digress ... We are all somewhat the worse for wear after a long night in the hotel bar.
- Here I was, returning from a presidential mission, and plainly the worse for wear.
- It was a long evening, and he arrived home at two in the morning, much the worse for wear.
- John McGuire was slightly the worse for wear after his night out with his wife.
- They were a bit the worse for wear; the flat was not clean and was damp.
WORD FAMILYnounwearunderwearweareradjectivewearingwornverbwear
1the clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity, or by a particular group of peopleevening/casual/leisure etc wear a new range of casual wear bridal wear the children’s wear department → footwear, menswear► see thesaurus at clothes2damage caused by continuous use over a long period:
Replace your trainers when they start to show signs of wear. Check the equipment for wear and tear.3the amount of use an object, piece of clothing etc has had, or the use you can expect to get from it: The dress stood up to the wear small children give their clothes. You’ll get years of wear out of that coat. → the worse for wear at worse1(7)COLLOCATIONSadjectivesevening wear formal (=clothes worn to formal events in the evening)· The band were dressed in evening wear.casual wear· The company makes stylish casual wear for men and women.leisure wear· This is leisure wear for active people.formal wear· Actresses were dressed in everything from formal wear to miniskirts.bridal wear· a bridal wear shopmaternity wear (=for pregnant women)· The shop sells comfortable and fashionable maternity wear for every occasion.children’s/men’s/women’s wear· the children’s wear section of the storedesigner wear· I can’t afford designer wear.