Meaning trap

wear out

become unusable

To become damaged or too old to use, usually because of frequent use over time.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

become unusable

To become damaged or too old to use, usually because of frequent use over time.

wear out (make someone exhausted)

Another meaning of 'wear out' is 'make someone exhausted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

My running shoes wore out after a year of daily use.daily life
If you use cheap headphones every day, they tend to wear out quickly and need replacing.IELTS speaking

Pattern: wear out (sth) / wear (sth) out

WrongMy shoes are wore out.

RightMy shoes are worn out.

Past participle is 'worn out', not 'wore out'.

Patternwear out (sth) / wear (sth) out

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff These shoes have become unserviceable through constant use.

Natural These shoes are completely worn out.

'Wear out' is the everyday verb for something used until it's done; the formal version is stilted.

Words that usually travel with it.

Not the same as 'wear', which means to have something on your body.

wear out (make someone exhausted) — Another meaning of 'wear out' is 'make someone exhausted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.