Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Worn Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👖
Add to dictionary

worn

[wɔːn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

clothing

showing the damaging effects of overuse or long service

Synonyms

shabby, tattered, threadbare, used.

Examples of usage

  • The jacket looked worn and frayed at the edges.
  • She wore a worn-out pair of jeans.
  • The shoes were worn from all the walking.
  • The old rug looked worn and threadbare.
  • The backpack was worn from years of use.
Context #2 | Verb

past participle

damage or erode by friction or use

Synonyms

abrade, erode, grind, wear down.

Examples of usage

  • The constant rubbing had worn a hole in her jeans.
  • The wood was worn smooth from years of handling.
  • He had worn down the edges of the paper with his pencil.
  • The rocks were worn away by the force of the water.
  • The tires were worn down after the long journey.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Fashion

  • Worn clothing can signify a person's lifestyle, indicating practicality, nostalgia, or personal style.
  • Distressed jeans are deliberately made to look worn, reflecting trends in casual fashion.
  • Vintage clothing, often sought after, shows evidence of being worn and has unique stories behind each piece.

Psychology

  • Research suggests that wearing comfortable, well-loved items can boost mood and feelings of security.
  • Worn objects can evoke memories, connecting people emotionally to their experiences.
  • The psychological concept of 'object attachment' suggests that worn items can symbolize personal history and sentimentality.

Literature

  • In literature, characters often wear worn clothes to demonstrate their socioeconomic status or to show that they have faced hardships.
  • Worn out shoes might symbolize a character's journey or struggles in a narrative.
  • Poets frequently use the imagery of worn objects to explore themes of time, loss, and memory.

Art

  • Artists often incorporate worn materials in their creations to symbolize age, experience, or the passage of time.
  • The concept of 'worn beauty' appears in various art forms, celebrating imperfection and the marks of use.
  • Street artists frequently use worn walls as canvases for their work, turning dilapidated materials into vibrant expressions of culture.

Origin of 'worn'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'worn' comes from Old English 'werian', meaning to wear or carry.
  • It is the past participle of 'wear', which means to have something on your body as clothing or adornment.
  • The expression 'to wear thin' shows the connection to wear and damage over time.

The word 'worn' originated from the Old English word 'wornian' which means 'to waste away, decay'. Over time, it evolved to signify the state of being damaged or eroded through use. The concept of 'worn' has been used throughout history to describe the effects of time and usage on various objects, particularly clothing and materials.

See also: outerwear, unwear, wear, weariness, wearisome.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,586, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.