tear
Looking for the meaning of tear? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A hole or break caused by tearing.
“A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.”
A rampage.
“to go on a tear”
To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.
“He tore his coat on the nail.”
To injure as if by pulling apart.
“He has a torn ligament.”
To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.
“He was torn by conflicting emotions.”
To make (an opening) with force or energy.
“A piece of debris tore a tiny straight channel through the satellite.”
(often with off or out) To remove by tearing.
“Tear the coupon out of the newspaper.”
(of structures, with down) To demolish
“The slums were torn down to make way for the new development.”
To become torn, especially accidentally.
“My dress has torn.”
To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.
“He tore into the backlog of complaints.”
To smash or enter something with great force.
“The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry.”
Understanding "tear"
The word **"tear"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **N/A**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"tear"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "tear" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "tear" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "tear" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as a standard English phoneme pattern. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "tear" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "tear" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "tear" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "tear". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (N/A), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "tear" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use tear in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "tear" can be used in academic and casual conversations.