wear away
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To erode gradually and progressively.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
As the sensitiveness which greeted my new position wore away, I began to rather like the freedom of my new character.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “wear away” mean?
To erode gradually and progressively.
Is “wear away” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.