practically worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost completely used up or exhausted, often referring to items like clothing or shoes. Example: "After years of use, my favorite pair of shoes is practically worn and needs to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's been said so many times by now that it's practically worn out, but if this is what the defeated side looks like, well..

The Guardian

You would laugh if you saw the skateboard now as the wheels are practically worn away.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In fact, their leaders were practically wearing party hats.

The New York Times

"When Coliseum Books closed, we practically wore black armbands," Mr. Kushner said.

The New York Times - Style

They practically wear on their sleeves what is supposed to be concealed -- their sensitivity and their attraction for each other.

The New York Times

Why would I do that?" I used to practically wear them to the gym but I've just had a baby and I don't care.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But these pieces are closer to 'Dumbarton Oaks' than 'Moon River.' " Mr. Anastasio grew up seeing musicals on Broadway and at the Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania, and he said he practically wore out his cast albums of "West Side Story," "Porgy and Bess," "Sweeney Todd" and especially "Jesus Christ Superstar" as a teenager.

The New York Times

The way it is in college basketball, the coaches rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars and practically wear sandwich signs for sneaker companies and open their programs to flesh peddlers from the street and honor signed contracts at the rate most players make 3-pointers.

The New York Times - Sports

Seriously, boys will practically wear the same T-shirts as each other and not even notice.

Forbes

Why are you practically wearing a turtleneck?

Huffington Post

The players are practically wearing body armor under their uniforms.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the condition of an item, use "practically worn" to convey that it is nearing the end of its useful life due to wear and tear. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to emphasize the extent of the item's degradation without stating it is completely unusable.

Common error

Avoid using "practically worn" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "almost worn out" or "nearly used up" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically worn" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier describing the state of an object that is close to being worn out. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in English. Examples show its application to physical items like shoes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically worn" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an item nearing the end of its usable life due to wear and tear. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in English. While the usage is not very common, the phrase effectively communicates a high degree of degradation. It's most frequently found in news articles and general writing contexts. When using "practically worn", be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms to enhance the variety and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost worn out

Emphasizes the process of wearing down to near uselessness.

Almost completely exhausted

Focuses on the exhaustion of resources or usefulness.

Nearly used up

Focuses on the consumption or depletion aspect.

Virtually threadbare

Specifically describes clothing that is extremely worn, with threads showing.

Tending toward depletion

Highlights the direction of change towards complete exhaustion.

Close to being unusable

Indicates an impending state of being unfit for use.

On its last legs

An idiomatic expression indicating something is nearing the end of its lifespan or usability.

About to give out

Indicates an imminent failure or breakdown.

Approaching obsolescence

Suggests something is becoming outdated or no longer useful.

Nearing the end of its life

Implies a finite lifespan is almost over.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically worn" to describe something that is close to being worn out or unusable. For example, "After years of hiking, his boots were "practically worn"."

What are some synonyms for "practically worn"?

Synonyms include "almost worn out", "nearly used up", and "virtually threadbare". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "practically worn" or "almost worn out"?

Both "practically worn" and "almost worn out" are acceptable. "Practically worn" may subtly emphasize the degree of wear, while "almost worn out" focuses on the process of becoming unusable.

Can I use "practically worn" to describe something other than physical objects?

While typically used for physical objects like clothing or shoes, "practically worn" can metaphorically describe abstract concepts, like an idea or a saying that has become stale from overuse. However, this usage is less common.