Wear vs. Ware — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on January 14, 2024
'Wear' refers to using clothing or the act of using something to the point of deterioration, while 'ware' generally refers to manufactured goods or products.
Difference Between Wear and Ware
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
'Wear' primarily involves clothing and attire, encompassing all aspects of dressing and fashion. In contrast, 'ware' is a broad term that covers various types of goods, often categorized by material, like silverware or glassware.
'Wear' also signifies the act of using something, which can lead to its deterioration or aging. On the other hand, 'ware' does not imply usage but rather denotes types of products or merchandise.
The concept of 'wear' extends beyond just clothing to describe the condition or longevity of an item, like tire wear. 'Ware,' however, consistently relates to classes of products, often found in commerce and industry.
'Wear' can be used in various contexts, including physical condition and fashion, while 'ware' is more limited to categorizing and describing goods, often in a commercial setting.
Both 'wear' and 'ware' are integral in daily language but serve different purposes: 'wear' in describing clothing and usage effects, and 'ware' in classifying types of goods.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Clothing or the act of using something
Manufactured goods or products
Usage Context
Fashion, deterioration of items
Types of goods, categorized by material
Examples
Dresses, tire wear
Silverware, software
Connotation
Use, fashion, condition of items
Classification, types of products
Common Phrases
Wear and tear, evening wear
Kitchenware, hardware
Compare with Definitions
Wear
To carry or have on one's body as clothing.
She chose to wear a red dress to the party.
Ware
Often classified by the material they are made of.
Their collection of silverware was quite impressive.
Wear
Clothing appropriate for a particular occasion or purpose.
He bought formal wear for the upcoming gala.
Ware
A term used in compound words to specify types of goods.
The company specialized in software and hardware.
Wear
Wear is the damaging, gradual removal or deformation of material at solid surfaces. Causes of wear can be mechanical (e.g., erosion) or chemical (e.g., corrosion).
Ware
Articles of merchandise or manufactured goods.
The store offered a wide range of kitchen ware.
Wear
To carry or have on one's person as covering, adornment, or protection
Wearing a jacket.
Must wear a seat belt.
Ware
Used to denote various types of commodities.
The market was known for its exquisite handmade ware.
Wear
To carry or have habitually on one's person, especially as an aid
Wears glasses.
Ware
Products for sale, especially in a retail setting.
The vendor displayed his ware at the local fair.
Wear
To display in one's appearance
Always wears a smile.
Ware
An item that is offered for sale.
Wear
To bear, carry, or maintain in a particular manner
Wears her hair long.
Ware
An attribute or ability, especially when regarded as an article of commerce
"Mathewson had displayed impressive wares with his fastball, big overhand curve and baffling 'fadeaway' (today known as a screwball)" (Stuart Miller).
Wear
To fly or display (colors). Used of a ship, jockey, or knight.
Ware
To beware of.
Wear
To damage, diminish, erode, or consume by long or hard use, attrition, or exposure. Often used with away, down, or off
Rocks worn away by the sea.
Shoes worn down at the heels.
Ware
Watchful; wary.
Wear
To produce by constant use, attrition, or exposure
Eventually wore hollows in the stone steps.
Ware
Aware.
Wear
To bring to a specified condition by long use or attrition
Wore the clothes to rags.
Pebbles worn smooth.
Ware
(poetic) Aware.
Wear
To fatigue, weary, or exhaust
Your incessant criticism has worn my patience.
Ware
(obsolete) Wary; cautious.
Wear
(Nautical) To make (a sailing ship) come about with the wind aft.
Ware
(obsolete) The state of being aware; heed.
Wear
To last under continual or hard use
A fabric that will wear.
Ware
Goods or a type of goods offered for sale or use.
Wear
To last through the passage of time
A friendship that wears well.
Ware
(in the plural) See wares.
Wear
To break down or diminish through use or attrition
The rear tires began to wear.
Ware
(uncountable) Pottery or metal goods.
Damascene ware, tole ware
Wear
To pass gradually or tediously
The hours wore on.
Ware
A style or genre of artifact.
Wear
(Nautical) To come about with stern to windward.
Ware
(Ireland) Crockery.
Wear
The act of wearing or the state of being worn; use
This shirt is ideal for wear in sultry climates.
Ware
Seaweed.
Wear
Clothing, especially of a particular kind or for a particular use. Often used in combination
Rainwear.
Footwear.
Ware
To be ware or mindful of something.
Wear
Damage resulting from use or age
The rug shows plenty of wear.
Ware
(obsolete) To protect or guard (especially oneself); to be on guard, be wary.
Wear
The ability to withstand impairment from use or attrition
The engine has plenty of wear left.
Ware
(nautical) To wear, or veer.
Wear
To carry or have equipped on or about one's body, as an item of clothing, equipment, decoration, etc.
He's wearing some nice pants today.
She wore her medals with pride.
Please wear your seatbelt.
Can you wear makeup and sunscreen at {{the same time?
}} He was wearing his lunch after tripping and falling into the buffet.
Ware
Wore.
Wear
To have or carry on one's person habitually, consistently; or, to maintain in a particular fashion or manner.
He wears eyeglasses.
She wears her hair in braids.
Ware
To wear, or veer. See Wear.
Wear
To bear or display in one's aspect or appearance.
She wore a smile all day.
He walked out of the courtroom wearing an air of satisfaction.
Ware
To make ware; to warn; to take heed of; to beware of; to guard against.
God . . . ware you for the sin of avarice.
Then ware a rising tempest on the main.
Wear
To overcome one's reluctance and endure a (previously specified) situation.
I know you don't like working with him, but you'll just have to wear it.
Ware
Seaweed.
Wear
To eat away at, erode, diminish, or consume gradually; to cause a gradual deterioration in; to produce (some change) through attrition, exposure, or constant use.
You're going to wear a hole in the bottom of those shoes.
The water has slowly worn a channel into these rocks.
Long illness had worn the bloom from her cheeks.
Exile had worn the man to a shadow.
Ware
Articles of merchandise; the sum of articles of a particular kind or class; style or class of manufactures; especially, in the plural, goods; commodities; merchandise.
It the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day.
Wear
To undergo gradual deterioration; become impaired; be reduced or consumed gradually due to any continued process, activity, or use.
The tiles were wearing thin due to years of children's feet.
Ware
The state of being ware or aware; heed.
Wear
To exhaust, fatigue, expend, or weary.
His neverending criticism has finally worn my patience.
Toil and care soon wear the spirit.
Our physical advantage allowed us to wear the other team out and win.
Ware
A ware; taking notice; hence, wary; cautious; on one's guard. See Beware.
She was ware and knew it bet [better] than he.
Of whom be thou ware also.
He is ware enough; he is wily and circumspect for stirring up any sedition.
The only good that grows of passed fearIs to be wise, and ware of like again.
Wear
(intransitive) To last or remain durable under hard use or over time; to retain usefulness, value, or desirable qualities under any continued strain or long period of time; sometimes said of a person, regarding the quality of being easy or difficult to tolerate.
Don't worry, this fabric will wear. These pants will last you for years.
This color wears so well. I must have washed this sweater a thousand times.
I have to say, our friendship has worn pretty well.
It's hard to get to know him, but he wears well.
Ware
Articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: silverware; software
Wear
(in the phrase "wearing on (someone)") To cause annoyance, irritation, fatigue, or weariness near the point of an exhaustion of patience.
Her high pitched voice is really wearing on me lately.
Ware
Spend extravagantly;
Waste not, want not
Wear
To pass slowly, gradually or tediously.
Wear on, wear away.
As the years wore on, we seemed to have less and less in common.
Wear
(nautical) To bring (a sailing vessel) onto the other tack by bringing the wind around the stern (as opposed to tacking when the wind is brought around the bow); to come round on another tack by turning away from the wind. Also written "ware". Past: weared, or wore/worn.
Wear
To guard; watch; keep watch, especially from entry or invasion.
Wear
To defend; protect.
Wear
To ward off; prevent from approaching or entering; drive off; repel.
To wear the wolf from the sheep
Wear
To conduct or guide with care or caution, as into a fold or place of safety.
Wear
(uncountable) (in combination) clothing
Footwear; outdoor wear; maternity wear
Wear
(uncountable) damage to the appearance and/or strength of an item caused by use over time
Wear
(uncountable) fashion
Wear
Same as Weir.
Wear
The act of wearing, or the state of being worn; consumption by use; diminution by friction; as, the wear of a garment.
Wear
The thing worn; style of dress; the fashion.
Motley 's the only wear.
Wear
The result of wearing or use; consumption, diminution, or impairment due to use, friction, or the like; as, the wear of this coat has been good.
Wear
To cause to go about, as a vessel, by putting the helm up, instead of alee as in tacking, so that the vessel's bow is turned away from, and her stern is presented to, the wind, and, as she turns still farther, her sails fill on the other side; to veer.
Wear
To carry or bear upon the person; to bear upon one's self, as an article of clothing, decoration, warfare, bondage, etc.; to have appendant to one's body; to have on; as, to wear a coat; to wear a shackle.
What compass will you wear your farthingale?
On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore,Which Jews might kiss, and infidels adore.
Wear
To have or exhibit an appearance of, as an aspect or manner; to bear; as, she wears a smile on her countenance.
His innocent gestures wearA meaning half divine.
Wear
To use up by carrying or having upon one's self; hence, to consume by use; to waste; to use up; as, to wear clothes rapidly.
Wear
To impair, waste, or diminish, by continual attrition, scraping, percussion, on the like; to consume gradually; to cause to lower or disappear; to spend.
That wicked wight his days doth wear.
The waters wear the stones.
Wear
To cause or make by friction or wasting; as, to wear a channel; to wear a hole.
Wear
To form or shape by, or as by, attrition.
Trials wear us into a liking of what, possibly, in the first essay, displeased us.
Wear
To endure or suffer use; to last under employment; to bear the consequences of use, as waste, consumption, or attrition; as, a coat wears well or ill; - hence, sometimes applied to character, qualifications, etc.; as, a man wears well as an acquaintance.
Wear
To be wasted, consumed, or diminished, by being used; to suffer injury, loss, or extinction by use or time; to decay, or be spent, gradually.
Away, I say; time wears.
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this people that is with thee.
His stock of money began to wear very low.
The family . . . wore out in the earlier part of the century.
Wear
Impairment resulting from long use;
The tires showed uneven wear
Wear
A covering designed to be worn on a person's body
Wear
The act of having on your person as a covering or adornment;
She bought it for everyday wear
Wear
Be dressed in;
She was wearing yellow that day
Wear
Have on one's person;
He wore a red ribbon
Bear a scar
Wear
Have in one's aspect; wear an expression of one's attitude or personality;
He always wears a smile
Wear
Deteriorate through use or stress;
The constant friction wore out the cloth
Wear
Have or show an appearance of;
Wear one's hair in a certain way
Wear
Last and be usable;
This dress wore well for almost ten years
Wear
Go to pieces;
The lawn mower finally broke
The gears wore out
The old chair finally fell apart completely
Wear
Exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress;
We wore ourselves out on this hike
Wear
Put clothing on one's body;
What should I wear today?
He put on his best suit for the wedding
The princess donned a long blue dress
The queen assumed the stately robes
He got into his jeans
Wear
The act of using something that causes it to deteriorate.
The constant use led to significant wear on the machinery.
Wear
The condition of something due to use or aging.
The old book showed signs of wear but still held charm.
Wear
The resistance of materials to damage or deterioration.
The new tires promised high durability and minimal wear.
Common Curiosities
What's an example of 'ware' in the kitchen?
Kitchenware, like pots and pans.
What does 'wear' imply in fashion?
It refers to clothing and the act of dressing.
Can 'ware' refer to digital products?
Yes, as in 'software.'
Does 'wear' have a connection to durability?
Yes, it often refers to how well something holds up over time, like tire wear.
Is 'wear' always physical?
Mostly, but it can also refer to the manifestation of aging or use.
Does 'wear' have a positive or negative connotation?
It can be neutral, but often has a negative connotation when referring to deterioration.
Is 'wear' used only for clothing?
No, it also refers to the usage and aging of items.
How does 'wear' relate to the condition of objects?
It describes the state of objects after being used or aged, such as wear and tear.
What type of 'ware' is found in a bathroom?
Bathroom ware, like sinks and bathtubs.
Can 'ware' be used in the context of arts and crafts?
Yes, for example, pottery ware or earthenware.
Can 'ware' be used in a technological context?
Yes, as in 'hardware' or 'software.'
Are 'ware' items always tangible?
Not always, as in the case of software.
What does 'evening wear' refer to?
Clothing suited for formal evening events.
What is an example of 'ware' in a store?
Items like cookware or glassware sold in a retail setting.
Is 'wear' associated with specific activities?
Yes, certain clothes are designated for specific activities, like sportswear.
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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.
