well-worn

[ wel-wawrn, -wohrn ]

adjective

1. showing the effects of extensive use or wear:

   well-worn carpets.

2. trite, hackneyed, or stale:

   a well-worn saying.

3. fittingly or becomingly worn or borne:

   a well-worn reserve that never seems haughty.

well-worn

adjective

1. so much used as to be affected by wear

   a well-worn coat

2. used too often; hackneyed

   a well-worn phrase

Word History and Origins

Origin of well-worn¹

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

The young Lakers coach was about to use a well-worn coaching adage, chuckling at the absurdity of offering a “back in my day” to anyone listening.

From Los Angeles Times

Allow me to trot out a well-worn phrase that we hear just about every election, how this one is the most important of our lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris returned to well-worn themes such as reproductive freedom, love for country and exhaustion with a decade of rancorous politics.

From Los Angeles Times

Marea Stamper, aka DJ extraordinaire The Blessed Madonna, is cramming her belongings into well-worn suitcases, ahead of a forthcoming Australian tour.

From BBC

At least “Sonny Boy” is also shot through with what certainly feels like self-deprecating honesty to go with the well-worn Pacino swagger.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dull
• humdrum
• lifeless
• monotonous
• mundane
• stale
• stodgy
• stuffy
• stupid
• tame
• tedious
• tiresome
• tiring
• trite
• uninteresting