wear in
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To wear until becoming comfortable or fitting properly; to cause (something) to wear in this way (by using it).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
It took a few weeks for my new hiking boots to wear in. Then it took another 12 years for them to wear out.
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 in” mean?
To wear until becoming comfortable or fitting properly; to cause (something) to wear in this way (by using it).
Is “wear in” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.