only worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item of clothing or accessory that has been used or worn a limited number of times, often implying it is still in good condition. Example: "This dress is in excellent shape; it's only worn a couple of times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is only worn by police officers".

The New Yorker

The fact that it was only worn once was definitely a good thing.

Independent

But Dieterle revealed that his son had only worn those clothes for a costume party.

The Guardian - Business

"I know they'd only worn them because they thought I'd like it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's in the wardrobe and I've only worn it to funerals".

The Guardian

Cravats went all shagpile carpet and slowly descended into hammy costume, only worn without irony by suburban golf captains.

The Guardian - Opinion

A survey of women by children's charity Barnardo's found that the majority of fashion purchases are only worn seven times.

The Guardian

The hotel said the bride was relieved when she realised where the ring was, having only worn it for a few hours.

Independent

Lately he has even begun to regret his impulse buys and combs through his possessions throwing out superfluous CDs and outfits he's only worn twice.

The Guardian

Wigan Casino was the first place I saw a boy with a "wedge and quiff" haircut, which until then was only worn by girls.

The Guardian - Music

Well, my aunt has only worn saris her whole life, and her son told her: "You've got to try to wear jeans".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing clothing or accessories, use "only worn" to indicate that the item is in good condition due to limited use.

Common error

Avoid using "only worn" to describe items that are damaged or show significant wear, even if they haven't been used frequently. Instead, use phrases like "lightly damaged" or "poorly maintained" to accurately reflect their condition.

Linguistic Context

Only worn functions as a past participle phrase, typically modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the limited use or wear of something, usually clothing or accessories, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only worn" is a grammatically sound and common way to describe something that has experienced limited use. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts, most notably in news, media, and general descriptions. When using this phrase, be sure to imply that the item is still in good condition. Alternative phrases like "barely used" or "lightly used" can offer nuanced alternatives to the original phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely used

Emphasizes minimal usage, focusing on the lack of wear and tear.

lightly used

Suggests gentle use, implying the item is still in good condition.

seldom used

Highlights the infrequency of use, implying rarity.

used sparingly

Indicates careful and limited use, conserving the item.

hardly ever worn

More emphatic, conveying a sense of near-new condition.

infrequently worn

A more formal way to express that something has not been worn often.

occasionally worn

Suggests wearing for specific events or situations, not regularly.

worn a few times

Quantifies the limited usage to a small number of instances.

minimally worn

Focuses on the reduced or negligible wear of an item.

newly worn

Suggests recent use but implies that the use has still been very limited

FAQs

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

You can use "only worn" to describe items, usually clothes, that haven't been used much. For example, "I'm selling this dress because it's "only worn" once."

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "barely used", "lightly used", or "seldom used" as alternatives to "only worn".

Is it correct to say 'worn only' instead of "only worn"?

While grammatically understandable, "worn only" is less common and can sound awkward. "Only worn" is the more natural and frequently used phrasing.

What is the difference between "only worn" and "newly worn"?

"Only worn" implies limited previous use, regardless of when it occurred. "Newly worn" suggests recent but still limited use.