seldom worn

USAGE SUMMARY

"seldom worn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when talking about something that is rarely used or does not get much use. For example, "This shirt is so old, it's seldom worn any more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When she arrived in New York, she had seldom worn high heels, had sometimes worn second-hand clothes, and had had her hair set only twice.

The New Yorker

It is possible that judgments made of people wearing ordinary everyday clothing do not always generalize to special dress like Halloween costumes which are seldom worn.

Fashion and Textiles

T-shirts were seldom worn alone because they were considered an undershirt.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He seldom wears a coat, collar or tie, except at some local reception.

The New York Times

Yet she seldom wears these clothes with a complete sense of confidence or triumph.

The New York Times - Style

Says the designer Lela Rose, who seldom wore a helmet with her George Bliss bike until recently, "There are so many now!

The New York Times

Indeed, the researchers found that outcomes were successful in 41 percent of the intervention group even though they seldom wore the brace.

The New York Times - Health

He seldom wears a coat, though; his wardrobe tends toward T-shirts or aloha shirts or no shirt, even in winter.

The New Yorker

The Americans have expressed consternation that the Kurds will seldom wear body armor or helmets, even when they have the equipment.

The New York Times

Dash always rocks a baseball cap, seldom wears more than two colors at once, and never steps out in the same sneakers twice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Residents of all ages worry about the riders themselves, who seldom wear helmets and sometimes ride two or three to a bicycle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing clothing or items, use "seldom worn" to convey they are not used regularly, implying they are either reserved for special occasions, out of fashion, or simply not preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "seldom worn" when you actually mean 'never worn'. "Seldom" indicates infrequent use, not complete disuse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seldom worn" functions as an adjectival modifier describing the state of an object, typically clothing, indicating that it is not worn frequently. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something rarely used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seldom worn" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something not frequently worn. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting it effectively communicates infrequent use. While rare, it appears across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing, making it versatile for various communication needs. For alternatives, consider phrases like "rarely used" or "infrequently worn". Remember that "seldom worn" implies infrequent use, not complete disuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarely used

Focuses on the rarity of the action, rather than the state of being worn.

scarcely worn

Highlights the limited extent to which the item has been worn.

infrequently worn

Adds a slightly more formal tone by using 'infrequently'.

hardly ever worn

Emphasizes the near absence of wearing.

not often worn

Uses a simpler structure, emphasizing the lack of frequency.

uncommonly worn

Stresses the unusual nature of the wearing.

not frequently worn

A more explicit way of saying something is not worn often.

occasionally worn

Suggests the item is worn sometimes, but not regularly.

sporadically worn

Implies irregular and scattered instances of wearing.

seldom used

Shifts the focus from wearing to general use, applicable if the item isn't necessarily clothing.

FAQs

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

You can use "seldom worn" to describe items that are not used frequently. For example: "This dress is beautiful, but it's "seldom worn" because it's too formal for everyday occasions".

What is a good alternative to "seldom worn"?

Alternatives to "seldom worn" include "rarely used", "infrequently worn", or "not often worn". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "rarely worn" instead of "seldom worn"?

Yes, "rarely worn" is a perfectly acceptable substitute for "seldom worn". Both phrases convey the same meaning of infrequent use.

What does "seldom worn" imply about an item?

"Seldom worn" suggests that an item is still in good condition because it hasn't been used much, or that it might be reserved for special occasions.