fairly worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item that shows signs of use or wear, but not excessively so. Example: "The shoes were fairly worn, but still comfortable enough for another hike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They're fairly worn out, but I keep them to taunt Bianca".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

JON MICHAUD: Some of Paul Chowder's delaying tactics seem fairly well worn (i.e., cleaning out his office), but, for the most part, I thought the writer's block in this book seemed appropriate to this character — the constant buying of new books, the bead obsession, the tours of poet's houses, the mouse hunting.

The New Yorker

Sunglasses, for instance, are fairly commonly worn outdoors.

TechCrunch

Some of the inaccuracies in her account are fairly well worn.

BBC

BTS differs from the boy bands of yesteryear in that its members' presentation is fairly androgynous they wear dangly earrings and visible makeup, and when they're shot in closeup it's to emphasize their soft, dewy skin.

The New Yorker

Goggles should be worn fairly tightly to prevent slippage and water seeping in when pushing off and gliding under water.

WikiHow

The suspension of disbelief granted for years by much of the world to the idea Europe might soon function as a superpower — the same gift of plausibility that a theater audience extends a play's actors and fairly incredible plot — is worn thin.

The New York Times

"We sell a mix of past and future," is how Mr. Sperandini summed up the appeal to filmmakers of working in this place, where the glamour and surrealism of Fellini have not yet evaporated, and the general state of craziness — a charmed, worn and fairly somnolent variety of it — seems a microcosm of Italy and a metaphor for how, despite themselves, Italians thrive anyway.

The New York Times

Until fairly recently he wore his hair long, another reminder of the fact that he is a child of the 1960s, not the 1930s.

The Economist

He seemed about fifty, a lean, fairly tall fellow wearing triple-seam bluejeans and a matching heavy denim shirt with the sleeves cut to the armpits.

The New Yorker

"In Holland and Italy, it's fairly normal to wear brown shoes but here it's like a little bit of history.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly worn" to describe items that show a moderate degree of use, avoiding exaggeration of the condition. It's suitable when a neutral description is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly worn" when the item is severely damaged or unusable; opt for terms like 'heavily damaged' or 'beyond repair' instead. The phrase is for items still functional but showing their age.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly worn" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the condition of an object. It suggests that the object has experienced some use and shows signs of wear, but is not completely dilapidated. As Ludwig states, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly worn" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe items showing a moderate degree of use. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It functions primarily to provide a neutral and informative assessment of an object's condition across diverse contexts, most frequently encountered in News & Media. While "fairly worn" implies a noticeable level of wear, it avoids exaggeration, making it suitable for descriptions that require accuracy. When writing, it's essential to distinguish between "fairly worn" and more extreme terms like "worn out", and to select alternative phrases such as "moderately used" or "somewhat deteriorated" based on the specific context and the extent of wear being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably worn

Uses 'reasonably' instead of 'fairly', a subtle change in emphasis.

moderately used

Replaces 'worn' with 'used', indicating a moderate level of prior use.

quite used

A more informal substitute.

somewhat deteriorated

Substitutes 'worn' with 'deteriorated', emphasizing the decline in condition.

noticeably aged

Highlights the aging aspect of the wear.

slightly damaged

Focuses on the damage aspect rather than general wear and tear.

gently used

Implies minimal wear, softer than "fairly worn".

acceptably weathered

Refers specifically to the effects of exposure to the elements.

passably dilapidated

Indicates a state of disrepair, more intense than "fairly worn".

visibly frayed

Describes a specific type of wear: fraying.

FAQs

How can I use "fairly worn" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly worn" to describe an object that shows signs of use but isn't completely unusable. For example, "The book was "fairly worn", but all the pages were still readable."

What's a good alternative to "fairly worn"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "moderately used", "somewhat deteriorated", or "slightly damaged" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "fairly worn" the same as "worn out"?

No, "fairly worn" indicates moderate wear, while "worn out" suggests that something is no longer usable due to excessive wear.

Which is correct, "fairly worn" or "fairly wore"?

"Fairly worn" is correct. "Worn" is the past participle of "wear" and is used to describe the state of being worn. "Wore" is the simple past tense. For example, "The tires are "fairly worn"." (correct) vs "He wore the tires until they were bald." (uses "wore" correctly).