outwear

[ out-wair ]

verb (used with object)

, out·wore, out·worn, out·wear·ing.

1. to wear or last longer than; outlast:

   a well-made product that outwears its competition.

2. to exhaust in strength or endurance:

   The daily toil had soon outworn him.

3. to outlive or outgrow:

   Perhaps he will outwear those eccentricities.

4. to wear out; destroy by wearing: wear:

   A child outwears clothes quickly.

5. to pass (time):

   trying to outwear the hours by reading.

outwear

/ ˌaʊtˈwɛə /

verb

1. to use up or destroy by wearing
2. to last or wear longer than
3. to outlive, outgrow, or develop beyond
4. to deplete or exhaust in strength, determination, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of outwear¹

First recorded in 1535–45; out- + wear

Example Sentences

It’s an intelligent and charming film that doesn’t outwear its welcome.

From Time

The brand succeeded most in the outwear, large leather goods, and mens accessories categories.

From The Daily Beast

Kilmeny was going because he knew that he might easily outwear his welcome.

From Project Gutenberg

"'Tis I that am more like to outwear your patience, fair Judith," said he.

From Project Gutenberg

You wilfully misunderstand my attitude; you outwear my patience.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet more than one pair of these have I outworn, and many more shall I outwear ere my journeys are ended.

From Project Gutenberg

We go there so often that I fear Miss Sally will think we mean to outwear our welcome.

From Project Gutenberg