Tattered: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something, especially cloth or paper, that is torn into many pieces or in very poor condition due to being old or heavily used.

• The flag was tattered after years of exposure to the wind and rain

Refers to something that has been used so much that it is no longer effective or usable, gaps, breaks, or significant damage are visible.

• Her shoes were so worn out that they had holes in the soles

Refers to something that is rough or uneven, often used to describe clothing that is torn and in bad condition, but can also describe something that is generally rough or uneven.

• He wore a ragged coat that barely kept out the cold

Describes something that looks old and in poor condition due to long-term use or neglect, often used for clothing or objects, sometimes implies disrepair or neglect.

• Her once elegant dress looked shabby after years of wear

Describing fabric that is so worn out that individual threads can be seen, often implying it is very old and overused.

• He wore a threadbare sweater that he had owned for decades

Describes cloth or rope that has become worn at the edge, with threads starting to come apart.

• The cuffs of his jeans were frayed from dragging on the ground

Use this word to describe something that is very old and is almost falling apart, often referring to cloth or paper.

• His tattered coat barely protected him from the cold
• The book pages were tattered from years of use

This word is suitable for general use when something has been harmed or broken in some way.

• The car was badly damaged in the accident
• The package arrived damaged and several items were missing

This word is used to describe something that has deteriorated or become less effective due to long usage, often referring to clothing or shoes.

• Her shoes were worn from all the walking she did
• The carpet was worn and needed to be replaced

Employ this word when referring to threads or fabric that are worn at the edges, often from frequent use or old age.

• The frayed edges of his jeans showed how much he wore them
• The flag was frayed after years of exposure to the wind

Use this word when something is torn into very small pieces, typically paper or cloth.

• The secret documents were shredded to ensure confidentiality
• Her dress was shredded after getting caught on the fence

This word describes something that has been ripped or split apart, commonly used for fabric or paper.

• He showed me his torn shirt where the dog had bitten him
• The pages were torn out in a hurry