Tare vs. Tear — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 20, 2023
Tare refers to a weight deduction; Tear means to rip or a droplet from the eye.
Difference Between Tare and Tear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tare is commonly associated with the weight of a container that's subtracted from the gross weight to obtain the net weight of its contents. Tear, on the other hand, can denote the act of ripping something or a drop of liquid from the eye.
In the realm of packaging, when you weigh an item, the weight of the container is often known as the Tare weight. On a contrasting note, a Tear in a piece of paper signifies damage or a breach in its continuity.
Tare can be essential in various industries, especially where precise measurements matter, such as in shipping or grocery stores. A Tear, whether in fabric, paper, or emotions, represents a break or disruption.
While Tare is a technical term primarily used in weighing and measuring, a Tear is a more commonly used word in everyday language, indicating either physical damage or emotional expression.
At the grocery store, when produce is placed in a bag and weighed, the Tare weight (weight of the bag) is removed to determine the weight of the produce alone. Similarly, one might shed a Tear when moved by a touching story or event.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Weight deduction
To rip or droplet from the eye
Part of Speech
Noun
Noun/Verb
Usage
Technical, related to weighing
Common, everyday language
Context
Industries like shipping, groceries
Emotional or physical context
Homophones
None
"Tier" in some accents
Compare with Definitions
Tare
Tare is a vetch, specifically a plant of the legume family.
The farmer planted Tare as a cover crop to enrich the soil.
Tear
A great rush; a hurry.
Tare
Tare can be unwanted or undesirable matter.
The crop had a high amount of Tare, reducing its overall quality.
Tear
A Tear refers to a hole or split in something caused by it being pulled apart.
There's a Tear in my shirt that I need to sew up.
Tare
Tares An unwelcome or objectionable element.
Tear
Tear can denote an act of tearing something.
With one strong Tear, he opened the package.
Tare
The weight of a container or wrapper that is deducted from the gross weight to obtain net weight.
Tear
To pull apart or into pieces by force; rend.
Tare
Tare is the weight of a container or wrapper.
The Tare weight of the box was 2 pounds.
Tear
To cause to be pulled apart unintentionally, as by accident
Tore my pants on the barbed wire.
Tare
Tare is a weight used as a counterbalance to get a precise measurement.
They used a Tare to balance the scales before weighing the gold.
Tear
To lacerate (the skin, for example).
Tare
Any of several vetches native to Europe.
Tear
To make (an opening) in something by pulling it apart or by accident
I tore a hole in my stocking.
Tare
Any of several weedy plants that grow in grain fields.
Tear
To separate forcefully; wrench
Tore the pipe from the wall.
Tare
A deduction from gross weight made to allow for the weight of a container.
Tear
To divide or disrupt
Was torn between opposing choices.
A country that was torn by strife.
Tare
(Chemistry) A counterbalance, especially an empty vessel used to counterbalance the weight of a similar container.
Tear
To become torn
The fabric does not tear easily.
Tare
To determine or indicate the tare of, especially to weigh in order to find out the tare.
Tear
To move with heedless speed; rush headlong
Tore off down the road.
Tore along the avenue.
Tare
(rare) A vetch, or the seed of a vetch (genus Vicia, esp. Vicia sativa)
Tear
To become filled with tears
The strong wind caused my eyes to tear.
Tare
Any of the tufted grasses of genus Lolium; darnel.
Tear
The act of tearing.
Tare
A damaging weed growing in fields of grain.
Tear
The result of tearing; a rip or rent
The shirt has a small tear.
Tare
The empty weight of a container; the tare weight or unladen weight.
Tear
(Slang) A carousal; a spree.
Tare
Any of various dipping sauces served with Japanese food, typically based on soy sauce.
Tear
A drop of the clear salty liquid that is secreted by the lachrymal gland of the eye to lubricate the surface between the eyeball and eyelid and to wash away irritants.
Tare
To take into account the weight of the container, wrapping etc. in weighting merchandise.
Tear
Tears A profusion of this liquid spilling from the eyes and wetting the cheeks, especially as an expression of emotion.
Tare
(sciences) To set a zero value on an instrument (usually a balance) that discounts the starting point.
Tear
Tears The act of weeping
Criticism that left me in tears.
Tare
(obsolete) tear
Tear
A drop of a liquid or hardened fluid.
Tare
Tore.
Tear
(transitive) 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.
Tare
A weed that grows among wheat and other grain; - alleged by modern naturalists to be the Lolium temulentum, or darnel.
Didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares?
The "darnel" is said to be the tares of Scripture, and is the only deleterious species belonging to the whole order.
Tear
(transitive) To injure as if by pulling apart.
He has a torn ligament.
He tore some muscles in a weight-lifting accident.
Tare
A name of several climbing or diffuse leguminous herbs of the genus Vicia; especially, the Vicia sativa, sometimes grown for fodder.
Tear
(transitive) To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.
He was torn by conflicting emotions.
Tare
Deficientcy in the weight or quantity of goods by reason of the weight of the cask, bag, or whatever contains the commodity, and is weighed with it; hence, the allowance or abatement of a certain weight or quantity which the seller makes to the buyer on account of the weight of such cask, bag, etc.
Tear
(transitive) To make (an opening) with force or energy.
A piece of debris tore a tiny straight channel through the satellite.
His boss will tear him a new one when he finds out.
The artillery tore a gap in the line.
Tare
To ascertain or mark the tare of (goods).
Tear
To remove by tearing.
Tear the coupon out of the newspaper.
Tare
Any of several weedy vetches grown for forage
Tear
To demolish
The slums were torn down to make way for the new development.
Tare
Weedy annual grass often occurs in grainfields and other cultivated land; seeds sometimes considered poisonous
Tear
(intransitive) To become torn, especially accidentally.
My dress has torn.
Tare
Counterweight consisting of an empty container that is used as a counterbalance to obtain net weight
Tear
(intransitive) To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.
He went tearing down the hill at 90 miles per hour.
The tornado lingered, tearing through town, leaving nothing upright.
He tore into the backlog of complaints.
Tare
Tare refers to the deduction from gross weight to determine the net weight.
After accounting for the Tare, the net weight of the goods was 50 pounds.
Tear
(intransitive) To smash or enter something with great force.
The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry.
Tear
(intransitive) To produce tears.
Her eyes began to tear in the harsh wind.
Tear
A hole or break caused by tearing.
A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.
Tear
(slang) A rampage.
To go on a tear
Tear
A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.
There were big tears rolling down Lisa's cheeks.
Ryan wiped the tear from the paper he was crying on.
Tear
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
Tear
(glass manufacture) A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.
Tear
That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.
Tear
A drop of the limpid, saline fluid secreted, normally in small amount, by the lachrymal gland, and diffused between the eye and the eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion. Ordinarily the secretion passes through the lachrymal duct into the nose, but when it is increased by emotion or other causes, it overflows the lids.
And yet for thee ne wept she never a tear.
Tear
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
Let Araby extol her happy coast,Her fragrant flowers, her trees with precious tears.
Tear
That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.
Tear
A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.
Tear
The act of tearing, or the state of being torn; a rent; a fissure.
Tear
To separate by violence; to pull apart by force; to rend; to lacerate; as, to tear cloth; to tear a garment; to tear the skin or flesh.
Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
Tear
Hence, to divide by violent measures; to disrupt; to rend; as, a party or government torn by factions.
Tear
To rend away; to force away; to remove by force; to sunder; as, a child torn from its home.
The hand of fateHath torn thee from me.
Tear
To pull with violence; as, to tear the hair.
Tear
To move violently; to agitate.
Tear
To divide or separate on being pulled; to be rent; as, this cloth tears easily.
Tear
To move and act with turbulent violence; to rush with violence; hence, to rage; to rave.
Tear
A drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands;
His story brought tears to her eyes
Tear
An opening made forcibly as by pulling apart;
There was a rip in his pants
She had snags in her stockings
Tear
An occasion for excessive eating or drinking;
They went on a bust that lasted three days
Tear
The act of tearing;
He took the manuscript in both hands and gave it a mighty tear
Tear
Separate or cause to separate abruptly;
The rope snapped
Tear the paper
Tear
To separate or be separated by force;
Planks were in danger of being torn from the crossbars
Tear
Move quickly and violently;
The car tore down the street
He came charging into my office
Tear
Strip of feathers;
Pull a chicken
Pluck the capon
Tear
Fill with tears or shed tears;
Her eyes were tearing
Tear
A Tear is a drop of clear salty liquid secreted by glands in the eyes.
A Tear rolled down her cheek as she remembered him.
Tear
To Tear means to pull apart or destroy by force.
Be careful not to Tear the paper while opening the envelope.
Tear
To Tear is to move very quickly.
He was Tearing down the highway at a dangerous speed.
Common Curiosities
What does Tare generally refer to in shipping or packaging?
Tare usually refers to the weight of a container that's subtracted to determine the net weight of its contents.
Is Tear always related to sadness?
No, a Tear can be shed due to various emotions, not just sadness, like joy, irritation, or laughter.
Is a Tear always visible?
No, while Tears are often visible droplets, one can also feel the sensation of tearing without visible Tears.
Can Tare be used as a verb?
Generally, Tare is used as a noun, while Tear serves as both a noun and a verb.
Is Tare specific to any industry?
While Tare is widely used in many industries, it's most common in shipping, packaging, and grocery sectors.
How is Tare used in grocery stores?
Tare is used to subtract the weight of containers or packaging to determine the actual weight of the product.
Does Tare have any other meanings beyond weight?
Yes, Tare can also refer to a type of vetch or undesirable matter mixed with a main product.
Can Tare weight impact cost?
Yes, if not accounted for, Tare weight can affect the cost, especially when customers are charged based on gross weight.
Does a Tear in clothing mean it's ruined?
Not necessarily. A Tear can often be mended or repaired, depending on its size and location.
Can Tear be used in a figurative sense?
Yes, Tear can be used figuratively, as in "a tear in the fabric of society."
Is there a relation between the words Tear and Torn?
Yes, "Torn" is the past participle of the verb "Tear."
Can Tear be synonymous with speed?
Yes, "Tear" can indicate moving rapidly, as in "tearing down the road."
What causes Tears in the eyes?
Tears can result from various factors, including emotions, irritation, or a foreign body in the eye.
How do you determine the Tare weight of a container?
By weighing the empty container before filling it. This weight is the Tare.
Can Tare be negative for a product's quality?
Yes, if Tare refers to unwanted matter mixed with the main product, it can reduce the product's quality.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
