wear away

Meaning

To gradually disappear, erode, or become thinner or weaker over time due to friction, use, or exposure to weather. It is typically used for physical surfaces like stone, wood, metal, or paint.

Examples

• The constant flow of water has slowly worn away the stone over thousands of years.

  The constant flow of water has slowly worn away the stone over thousands of years.

• The gold plating on this cheap ring will start to wear away after a few weeks.

  The gold plating on this cheap ring will start to wear away after a few weeks.

• Years of heavy foot traffic have worn away the carpet in the main hallway.

  Years of heavy foot traffic have worn away the carpet in the main hallway.

• The writing on the ancient tombstone had completely worn away, making it impossible to read.

  The writing on the ancient tombstone had completely worn away, making it impossible to read.

• Wind and rain will eventually wear away the paint on the wooden fence.

  Wind and rain will eventually wear away the paint on the wooden fence.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The medicine's effect started to wear away.

  ✓ The medicine's effect started to wear off.

  Use 'wear off' for feelings, effects, or sensations that fade. Use 'wear away' for physical materials that erode or deteriorate.

• ✗ The friction will wear out the stone.

  ✓ The friction will wear away the stone.

  'Wear out' means to make something completely unusable through over-use (like shoes or clothes). 'Wear away' refers to the gradual physical erosion of a surface.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The ocean waves will eventually ___ the cliffs along the coastline.

  💡 erode over time

  Show answer

  wear away

• The harsh desert winds will slowly ___ the surface of the statue.

  💡 gradually erode

  Show answer

  wear away