verb
1. deteriorate through use or stress (Freq. 1)
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The constant friction wore out the cloth
• Hypernyms: ↑deteriorate
• Verb Frames:
-
Something ——s
-
Somebody ——s something
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Something ——s something
2. diminish, as by friction
-
Erosion wore away the surface
• Syn: ↑wear away
• Verb Frames:
-
Something ——s something
* * *
lose effectiveness or intensity
* * *
wear off [phrasal verb]
: to gradually decrease, disappear, or stop
The painkillers wore off [=stopped having an effect; stopped decreasing or removing pain] after a couple of hours.
The shine on the leather will wear off pretty quickly. [=the leather will no longer be shiny after a short time]
After you drive a new car for a while, the novelty wears off. [=it is no longer exciting or new]
• • •
Main Entry: ↑wear
* * *
ˌwear ˈoff derived
to gradually disappear or stop
•
The effects of the drug will soon wear off.
•
The novelty of married life was beginning to wear off.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.