wear on
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To irritate.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
But his didacticism is beginning to wear on me, and I wonder if I am on a fool's errand.
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).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(chiefly of time) To persist or continue with increasing exhaustion.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “wear on” mean?
To irritate.
Is “wear on” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.