Phrase guide

wear off

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

to diminish in effect

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • The effect of the injection will gradually wear off.
  • My passion for football has worn off –I'm into into women's volleyball now.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • The silver plating on that cheap silverware will wear off.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

deteriorate through use or stress

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The constant friction wore out the cloth

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: wear, wear out, wear down, wear thin

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: deteriorate

Narrower terms: ablate, scuff

4

verb

Meaning 4

diminish, as by friction

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Erosion wore away the surface

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: wear away

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: remove, take, take away, withdraw

Narrower terms: abrade, corrade, abrase, rub down, rub off

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: s'atténuer — to diminish in effect
  • French: s'estomper — to diminish in effect
  • Japanese: 消える (kieru) — to diminish in effect
  • Polish: przechodzić — to diminish in effect
  • Polish: przejść — to diminish in effect
  • Polish: zanikać — to diminish in effect
  • Polish: zaniknąć — to diminish in effect
  • Russian: смягча́ться (smjaxčátʹsja) — to diminish in effect
  • Russian: слабе́ть (slabétʹ) — to diminish in effect
  • French: s'estomper — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • French: s'élimer — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • Japanese: 消える (kieru) — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • Polish: ścierać się — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • Polish: zetrzeć się — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • Polish: schodzić — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • Polish: zejść — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • Russian: стира́ться (stirátʹsja) — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused
  • Telugu: అరిగిపోవు (arigipōvu) — to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused